Even though the state’s Senate and Assembly majorities strongly oppose them, one-day furloughs for state workers have been approved by New York’s legislature for the first time in the state’s history, according to officials. Part of the emergency spending bill introduced by Gov. Paterson, the one-day-a-week furloughs for about 100,000 state workers (roughly half of New York’s work force) will save the state about $30 million a week. Rejecting the furloughs - which couldn’t be separated from the spending bill - would have resulted in the state government shutting down. Public employee unions maintain the furloughs would be illegal and said they plan to seek a temporary restraining order to block the plan.
New York Legislature Approves 1-Day Furloughs [NYT]
NY Legislature votes to furlough state workers [NYP]
