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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rickey
Dailey,
512-708-8655
McDonald
Public
Relations,
Inc.
Gary
Anderson,
512-476-2691
Texas
Public
Employees
Association
AUSTIN (AUGUST 29, 2003) – Texas
Public Employees Association (TPEA) Executive Director
Gary Anderson expressed
concern today that Texas taxpayers could see a reduction
in services as a result of state budget cuts that take
effect
Sept.
1.
“A combination of factors in the 2004-05 state
budget cycle could ultimately reduce the state employee
workforce by up to 10,000 people. These factors include
incentive payments for our most seasoned and experienced
employees to take retirement as soon as they are eligible,
and reduced health care benefits and stagnant pay for
remaining state workers,” Anderson said.
The 2004-05 state budget cuts general revenue spending
by $2.6 billion during the next two years, a roughly
10 percent reduction from the previous biennium.
“Workers at state agencies, whose pay is already
up to 24 percent below market rates, did not receive
salary offsets to mitigate the higher out-of-pocket
health care costs and their agencies cannot make up
the difference because they are operating on bare-bones
budgets,” Anderson said.
“It is clear that dedicated, hard-working state
employees shouldered a disproportionate share in balancing
the 2004-05 state budget. As the economy improves,
state employees will face increased pressure to leave
public service for better paying jobs, further exacerbating
an already difficult situation,” he said.
The magnitude of budget cuts are
reflected in state agency staffing levels where, according
to the Legislative
Budget Board, full time equivalent positions (FTEs)
for fiscal year 2005 are recommenced to be 225,665,
down from the 2003 level of 231,365. Additionally,
the Legislature consolidated 14 health and human service
agencies into four “super” agencies.
“TPEA understands the fiscal
challenges that confronted the Legislature during
the last session and the tough
choices that had to be made. The result is state employees
will continue
to do more with fewer resources,” Anderson
said.
“But lawmakers know, and the public will soon
learn, that staffing levels to carry out essential
state services are already seriously undermined and
the new budget is going to put additional pressure
on a shrinking workforce. This is at a time when Texas’ growing
population is demanding increased services,” he
said.
Established in 1946, TPEA is a professional trade
association and is the oldest and largest non-union
legislative advocacy group representing current and
retired state employees.
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