Overview
- The governor’s office confirmed it presented unions with an outline offering $10,000 for voluntary resignations and $20,000 for retirements to reduce headcount.
- Union leaders say vacated positions would not be backfilled, they have not agreed to the plan, and they are pressing for specifics on scope, timing, and agency eligibility.
- State budget officials project at least a $650 million tax revenue drop linked to federal tax-code changes, which the administration cites as the rationale for possible buyouts.
- Any program could touch the executive branch’s roughly 46,000 full-time employees, more than 90% covered by unions, and details may vary by agency, according to union officials.
- Labor groups warn of risks to human services and state hospitals and urge alternatives such as using the rainy day fund, as the administration maintains a hiring freeze and weighs 9C cuts.