State workers on furlough Friday

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Most state offices are closed today as 17,000 public employees take the third of five furlough days ordered to help with the ongoing budget crisis.

Public safety, health and other mission-critical employees--about 4,100 people--do not have the day off, and the furlough only affects the executive branch under the control of the governor, not the legislative and judicial branches.

The goal of the furloughs is to save $8.1 million during the budget year that ends June 30. With the downturn in the economy, state income plunged. On Thursday the Legislature meeting in special session adjourned after approving a mix of agency cuts and tax increased intended to close a $600 million gap between revenue and spending for the 2011 fiscal year, which begins July 1.