Cost-cutting has unequal effect on agencies, workers

It’s one thing to read about a 10% cut in government spending, and it’s quite another to delve into spending plans that agencies are filing to meet that mandate. Over and over, it’s clear that state employees are on the front line, shouldering the burden.

If I had to cut 10% from my household budget, I’d have places to look: cutting media subscriptions or streaming and cable services, eating out less, moving to a cheaper phone plan, skipping an annual vacation. You get the point.

But for many agencies, most of their spending — sometimes, more than 90% — is on the employees performing the services for constituents.

So, agencies are laying off employees, not filling jobs and ultimately piling more on staffers who stay. They have to do their own work and the duties of former co-workers.

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