On April 28, ten community colleges participated in a statewide NC House Appropriations Committee video- conferencing meeting on the 2009-2011 state budget held at the NC Museum of History.  The purpose of the meeting was to provide a forum where citizens of the state could comment on the budget process currently occurring in the General Assembly. Across the state, there was a lively discussion of state budget issues and state services. 

A Raleigh News & Observer article about the forum can be found at:

http://www.newsobsrver.com/1565/story/1504273.html

The same day, Governor Purdue announced a ½ of 1% of 2008-2009 annual salary cut for all state employees in order to help balance a growing shortfall (approximately $4-5 billion) in state revenues this year.  This calculates to a $150 to $300 reduction in pay, on a $30,000 and $60,000 annual salary respectively.  She recommended a ten-hour furlough (flex-time) for employees to be taken between June 1 and December 31, 2009 as compensation for the loss in salary. 

A summary of the salary cut/furlough plan can be found at:

http://www.newsobservor.com/622/story/1511303.html

State revenues, according to our current tax system, are expected to be at least $3-4 billion below current state spending levels ($20-21 billion) next year.  The following furlough bills are currently being considered for next year.

House Bill 708 authorizes a mandatory state employee furlough during the 2009-2010 budget year of up to 20 days. This bill would result in a possible mandatory one month unpaid furlough equal to an 8.3% salary cut in each state employee s 2009-2010 annual salary, resulting in a savings to the state of up to @ $870.7 million in next year s budget. 

House Bill 1172 authorizes a voluntary state employee furlough during the 2009-2010 budget year of from 10 to 30 days.  This bill would result in a possible 12.5% salary cut in some state employee s 2009-2010 annual salary, resulting in a potential savings to the state of up to $1.3 million in next year s budget.

Senate Bill 202, the NC Senate s current version of the 2009-2010 budget now being considered by the NC House, includes language allowing state agencies to use voluntary or required mandatory furloughs  in order to generate necessary economies and efficiencies in budgeting.  H708, H1172, and S202 all include language preserving a furloughed state employee s retirement and other employee benefits during the furlough period.

This article provided by NCCCFA.