Planning for a state shutdown if the governor and legislators don’t reach a budget deal continues, but the pace was slowed a bit.
Layoff notices for July 1, which must be sent a certain time in advance, depending on union rules, were supposed to go this week to 800 State Patrol troopers, conservation officers and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension officers.
But their union and the state agreed Wednesday to hold off on the notices. For now.
Instead, they’ll be sent June 10, if there’s still an impasse. That’s the same day that layoff notices are scheduled to go out to 35,000 other state workers.
Only state workers deemed essential will continue working if the shutdown comes. State agencies are determining what, exactly, is considered essential work. Prison guards? Yes. State parks? Maybe not.
State officials have said if there’s no budget deal by the middle of the month, they’ll ask the courts for permission to keep essential services operating.
