OLYMPIA, Wash. - The day after Labor Day, state employees who work for nearly 50 state agencies, boards or commissions will have an unpaid furlough day. Tuesday is the third state furlough day to save payroll costs across state government. The Legislature approved 10 days of furloughs for most state workers to save $73 million over the next year. Exempt are public-safety personnel, those who bring revenue to the state and those responsible for protecting the vulnerable. The Olympian reports universities and colleges, agencies headed by independently elected officials and others also are staying open but have used vacancies, layoffs or other alternatives to reduce payroll.
