Board approves revised furlough dates

SANTA FE (AP) - The state Personnel Board has approved Gov. Bill Richardson's proposed changes to furlough days for 17,000 state government employees.

As expected, the board voted Wednesday to support the plan, which was aimed at easing a paycheck squeeze on workers during the holidays.

Under the changes, a planned furlough for Dec. 31 was shifted to March 5. Without the change, three consecutive paychecks would have been reduced because of unpaid furloughs. The other furlough dates are Dec. 24, Jan. 15, April 2 and May 28.

The furloughs, which are aimed at helping address a state budget shortfall, do not apply to public schools and colleges or other branches of government such as the courts, nor to about 4,100 workers in public safety and health jobs.

Requiring workers to take days off without pay will save the state $8.1 million.