BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - East Baton Rouge Parish began laying off employees Monday after voters rejected the THRIVE tax initiative, with Mayor-President Sid Edwards starting the cuts in his own office.

Four employees in the mayor-president’s office were laid off as the city-parish entered what officials are calling a workforce reduction evaluation period. Hundreds more layoffs are expected by early next year.

“Today was one of the most difficult days I have faced as Mayor-President,” said Edwards in a recent statement. “These four employees are, unfortunately, the first of many who will be affected, not only in my office but across our government.”

RELATED: East Baton Rouge voters reject all three tax renewals in low-turnout election

The parish faces a budget decrease of over $1 bi

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