Give Perdue the same consideration she gives the new Republican legislature, show me the savings!
Reorgs don't save money, particulary in the short term. Is this another case of kicking the can down the road 6 months to wait out the feds rescue of technically bankrupt states?
The state budget is 90% payroll and 50% of state employees are due to retire within the next 5 years with better benefits than that of many private sector employees. The reality of the current economy, and national economic outlook for the next 20 years dictates the state implement payroll and retiree cost savings measures now. One immediate benefit to the state would be forcing the retirement of all retirement eligible employees not in a mission critical role, and replacing them with entry level hires, not contractors. This accomplishes two goals. It reduces the budget by moving retirement eligible employees to a comparatively well funded pension fund. Secondly, it nominally reduces the unemployment rate and prepares the state for a post boomer work force.
The state should also increase copays for state retirees with less than 20 years of service. The state has already ended providing health care at retirement for any employee with more than 5 years of service, an extraordinarily generous benefit. Steps are needed to mitigate the disruptive impact this benefit is already incurring.
Surely there are bright minds in elected office to navigate a course through what is being referred to as the Greater Depression. Whether the state continues in it's current form or another round of carpet baggers dictate reform to us depends on the state remaining solvent. It's in everyone's best interest.
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