There is a difference between firing government employees and cutting positions. In Los Angeles, Phony Tony, the Mayor, is going to end over 600 positions—no one knows if anybody will actually get fired.
“Notably, the number of layoffs this year is close to the number of layoffs in the three previous years combined because Riverside laid off 70 people in fiscal year 2008-09, 72 in 2009-10 and 96 in 2010-11. The elimination of redevelopment in particular has had a tough effect on the Economic Development Agency, as it will lose the most jobs with layoffs of 111 positions. Riverside County had one of the largest redevelopment programs in the state.”
Here is how it works. Government needs 50 people, but requests 100 “positions”. They hire only 50 people. When cuts come they cut the empty positions but announce 50 positions were closed.
Government knows how to lie.
Layoffs Grow to 229 in Riverside; Pink slips Total Number Issued in 3 Previous Yrs Combined
California County News, 5/2/12
At the end of March we relayed that Riverside County was facing some unwelcome news about its fiscal position because it was announced that layoffs of as many as 196 county jobs would be necessary. The number of layoffs has now grown to 229 (1.2 percent of the county’s total workforce) and June 30 is when many employees will be out of jobs. The cuts will address a projected $23 million deficit. Many layoffs have already occurred and the county has already begun the process of cutting jobs to make savings more immediate.
Notably, the number of layoffs this year is close to the number of layoffs in the three previous years combined because Riverside laid off 70 people in fiscal year 2008-09, 72 in 2009-10 and 96 in 2010-11. The elimination of redevelopment in particular has had a tough effect on the Economic Development Agency, as it will lose the most jobs with layoffs of 111 positions. Riverside County had one of the largest redevelopment programs in the state.
County spokesman Ray Smith commented the following: “As the economy worsened, the county tried to avoid layoffs where possible, because laying people off reduces the services to the community. At some point, however, you have to make decisions that are very difficult about trying to balance finances against services. So far, we’ve done a pretty good job of that. But there are just some decisions that aren’t pleasant but have to be made.”
Officials have been tussling for months over the best ways to address the county’s budget woes because revenues simply have not picked up enough to replenish the county’s budget and a proper recovery is not expected for several years. The North County Times points out: “The county earlier projected an $80 million gap between revenues and expenses for the fiscal year that begins July 1. And Finance Officer Ed Corser recently reported that the deficit had been whittled to $13 million. But the assessor’s office has indicated property values may fall 2 percent next year and is scheduled to issue a forecast within a few weeks. If the forecast is for a 2 percent drop, Corser said, that would meant the county will lose an additional $10 million in revenue.”
Real reasons to re-pare this government and put this Ca. legislature on term limits salary only and no retirement. The government shows us it has no product to offer, no merit and no ethic, it is failing as a body of representatives and cannot do anything but cost more and create more confusion by it’s inept actions……get rid of government unions!
May 4, 2012 at 9:44 am