Despite
these 2021 Budget wins, the 2022 budget battle may be harder, as some of the
key battles were avoided due to a smaller than worst-scenario budget gap of
$275m versus a projected $900m. One of the lines in the General Assembly press
release reads, ominously, “The bill includes no cuts to state agencies that
would result in staff layoffs
at this time.”
Emphasis mine.
Layoffs
of public sector employees have cascading effects. These layoffs inevitably
result in an increase in unemployment, but also contribute to a decrease in
public services, as understaffed government agencies struggle with staff
shortages.
The 2007 layoffs led by Republican Governor Donald Carcieri and his Democratic enablers such as