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IowaPolitics.com: Corrections would be hardest hit by state layoffs; total of 1,321 job cuts listed
10/22/2009

By Lynn Campbell
IowaPolitics.com

Two-thirds of proposed state worker layoffs spurred by a 10 percent, $565 million across-the-board budget cut would be in the Iowa Department of Corrections but Gov. Chet Culver, who gets the final say on the cuts, said Wednesday that he wants to mitigate that.

“I disagree with some recommendations that cut services to children and vulnerable adults, as well as in areas of public safety," Culver said. "These cuts have a very disproportionate impact on public safety, an area I vowed to protect. For example, two-thirds of layoffs are in the Department of Corrections, which relies almost entirely on support from the General Fund, and I want to find a way to mitigate that situation.”

Preliminary plans released Wednesday show that 1,321 state government positions would be reduced as a result of the 10 percent across-the-board budget cut. That includes 791 layoffs and the elimination of 529 vacant positions.

Of those, 515 would be laid off and 262 vacant positions would be held open in the Department of Corrections, which would take a $35.7 million cut. State prisons in Fort Madison and Anamosa would each see 80 layoffs, while the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility would see 51 layoffs.

"The impact will affect all departments in every level of service," corrections officials wrote. "A reduced workforce will create serious safety concerns for the public, staff and offenders within the maximum security facility. In line with the security concern is the closing of four towers."

See Department of Corrections plan:
http://www.governor.iowa.gov/files/corrections.pdf

The Iowa Department of Human Services' central office would be reorganized and 79 employees would be laid off at juvenile facilities in Toledo and Eldora, at the mental health institute in Independence, and at the central office in Des Moines, under the proposed plan released today.

See a spreadsheet detailing DHS cuts:
http://www.governor.iowa.gov/files/human_services.pdf

The Iowa Department of Public Safety would see 53 layoffs including 20 state troopers, 20 gaming enforcement officers at casinos, two narcotics enforcement officers, two criminal intelligence analysts and a fire inspector.

See public safety cuts:
http://www.governor.iowa.gov/files/public_safety.pdf

Cuts to the Iowa Department of Public Health would result in less testing and treatment for infectious diseases, and less education and treatment for addictive disorders. About 700 Iowans will not receive education and treatment for problem gambling, 547 will not receive substance abuse treatment and 4,300 meth users will not receive extended treatment, under the department's proposal for an $8.7 million cut, including $5.4 million from the state's general fund.

See the public health cuts:
http://www.governor.iowa.gov/files/public_health.pdf

-- IowaPolitics.com Platinum subscribers will see more on the cuts in the PM Update sent Wednesday afternoon.


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