politics
Contributors in Minnesota: Jennifer Brooks, Baird Helgeson, Patricia Lopez, Jim Ragsdale, Rachel E. Stassen-Berger and Glen Stubbe. Contributors in D.C.: Kevin Diaz and Corey Mitchell.
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Delay in 800 state worker layoff notices; they'll come next week, not Wednesday
Posted by: Rachel E. Stassen-Berger under Gov. Mark Dayton, Minnesota legislature, Minnesota state senators, State budgets Updated: June 1, 2011 - 4:30 PM
State law enforcement staffer won't get lay off notices Wednesday but that doesn't mean they are not coming.
The 800 troopers, prison officials, conservation officers and others were to be first in line to hear that they might be out of work if the government shuts down after June 30. Instead, they'll be notified next week, along with the rest of the 35,000 state employees on June 10, according to Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter.
The reason for the delay? Bad writing.
State patrol Sergeant Mat Hodapp, president of the Minnesota troopers association, said the letter the department had drafted to send to the 800 members of the Minnesota Law Enforcement was "poorly written." So, rather than sending a 30-day advance notice of possible lay offs, the department and the union decided to delay the notice so give time for a less confusing notice to be drafted, Hodapp said.
The muddle over the notices is only a splash in the muddy waters of the possible government shutdown. Since lawmakers ended the session with no budget agreement with the governor, the state will legally run out of money on June 30.
Lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton could reach a budget agreement before then -- they will meet to negotiate Friday morning. But, as it did in 2001 and 2005 when agreements long alluded Capitol shakers, the state is preparing for the shutdown that could happen.
"Everybody is aware the Legislature is out of session. There is no budget, at this point. So, come June 30th there is no money for anybody," said Hodapp.
He, like most, expects that should it come to shutdown a court would allow the state to spend money to keep essential services running.
"Typically, law enforcement is one of those services. However, we don't know that," he said. "They may decide to pare down some of positions, as well."
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