State Worker Layoffs Could Be Fewer Than 200

Gov. Rendell said at a press conference this afternoon fewer than 200 state workers could be laid off as a result of cuts in the basic FY 2010-11 state budget. The Governor had first estimated as many as 1,000 layoffs, then reduced that to 700.
He declined to estimate how many layoffs would be needed to make up for the $250-260 million deficit which remained after Congress finally approves the Medicaid funding saying he will meet with legislative leaders on Wednesday on how to fill that budget hole.
Gov. Rendell said he preferred to make "structural budget changes," i.e. adopt something like the elimination of the 1 percent Sales Tax discounts for businesses, rather than adopt one-time fixes to fill the budget gap.
NewsClip: State Employee Layoffs Could Be Fewer Than 200