|
|
| Md. prisons to lose 400 vacant jobs |
| By Brian Witte | The Associated Press |
| Published: 02/23/2009 |
|
Maryland's corrections and public safety department is under financial strain because of cost-saving measures aimed at addressing the state's budget deficit, and lawmakers are questioning how well it will be able to operate under the constraints. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections is underfunded in Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget by about $55.8 million based on current operations. It's underfunded by about $77 million for optimal staffing conditions. The budget proposal requires the agency to cut 400 vacant positions out of 837 in the department, which will have about 11,250 regular positions, the lowest number since 2005. Del. Galen Clagett, a Frederick County Democrat who chairs a House subcommittee that oversees spending in the department, described the department's budget as "a shell game with no pea." "The really serious answer to this is having enough staff properly trained and a good system to keep people on line," Clagett said. Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Gary Maynard said the budget was put together with new 12-hour shifts for correctional officers in mind, but union opposition has put the longer shifts aimed at increasing efficiency in doubt. "Initially, our budget was planned upon getting a 12-hour shift consideration by the union, but it looks like that may not be possible, so the amount that we put in there we've got to make that up somewhere else," Maynard said. Department officials concede that won't be easy. The federal recovery act in Congress that is steering about $3.8 billion in aid to Maryland is largely tailored for specific needs, such as education, health care and transportation. Read more. If link has expired, check the website of the article's original news source. |
Comments:
Login to let us know what you think
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Waco has developed a reputation for a rocket-docket in patent litigation. It’s an important choice to find the right lawyer in Waco for your important patent litigation matter. When people in the know make the hire, they hire Dunnam & Dunnam. Lawyers that are competent, hard-working, focused are a rare find. Few attorneys have the commitment to quality, collegiality, and loyalty of the Waco car wreck attorney, You can search for attorneys with loyalty, leadership, accountability. These attorneys show financial generosity and a sense of fairness to their colleagues. For nearly 100 years, people in Waco have hired the firm when the results matter. at Dunnam & Dunnam are among the most respected in the Central Texas area. They have the experience in trials and mediations to guide your case in the right way. There are few important decisions at the outset of the case that can turn the tide in your favor. Choosing the right lawyer is one of them.