|
|
|
|
Sen. Moore announces 5 day furlough to help with budget crisis
April 29, 2009 ... In an effort to help solve the state’s spending gap, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, today announced his intention to take five unpaid furlough days before July 1, 2009 - the close of the current fiscal year. The Commonwealth is currently facing a $156 million budget gap for 2009, and lawmakers anticipate that gap may widen by an additional $400 million by the end of this fiscal year. “Massachusetts is facing a major budgetary crisis, forcing us to make extremely difficult decisions about where to cut spending and where to make sacrifices,” said Moore. “Part of these sacrifices, as a public servant, now includes taking furloughs. In addition to donating my cost of living pay increase to worthy charitable organizations in my district, and voluntarily reducing my State House staff, taking unpaid working days will help to save the Commonwealth additional money,” Moore concluded. Sen. Moore has consistently remained ahead of the curve in money-saving initiatives, beginning with his intention to donate his cost of living pay increase. The pay increase, which was constitutionally mandated by voters, will continue to be incrementally donated by the Senator to various causes and charitable organizations in his constituency. Additionally, Sen. Moore recently volunteered a reduction in his State House staff, offering to fill only one of two vacancies in his office. This legislative session, the Massachusetts State Senate has addressed numerous discrepancies in the state system as one way to help solve the Commonwealth’s fiscal problems. The Senate passed a comprehensive transportation reform plan that advocates for reform and restructure. This plan restructures the Commonwealth’s bankrupt transportation system under a single, unifying agency to consolidate resources, simplify operations and reduce costs, with potential savings up to $6.5 billion over 20 years. Additionally, the Senate passed a bill that will tie off loopholes in current pension laws, to end abuses and save taxpayers money. |
