900 state workers OK taking buyouts
Gov. Charlie Baker is ruling out across-the-board layoffs after 900 state workers agreed to take buyouts, saving less than half of what administration officials hoped for but enough, apparently, to avoid slashing the workforce.
The voluntary buyouts laced with incentives of $15,000 for retirement- eligible workers or $5,000 for those who werent are expected to save about $12 million this fiscal year after officials pay out $23.2 million in incentives, sick time and other benefits.
Kristen Lepore, Bakers budget chief, said they expect to save another $70 million in fiscal 2018.
The administration had said it was aiming to save $25 million immediately, with the potential of layoffs to follow. But a week after Baker made $98 million in unilateral budget cuts, officials said they wouldnt seek large-scale moves to cut staff.
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