BillysAngel
02-28-2003, 10:58 PM
TDCJ job losses "going to happen" statewide
By Mark Passwaters/Staff Writer The Huntsville Item Newspaper
With the Texas Department of Criminal Justice facing as much as a 20 percent reduction in its budget from the 2003 fiscal year to the 2005 fiscal year, a number of possible cuts to agency programs and services have been discussed.
As a result of those cuts, and a continued need to pare down the budget even further, it is becoming increasingly likely that a significant number of TDCJ employees -- including many in Walker County -- will lose their jobs.
In a letter sent to Gov. Rick Perry and senior members of the state government in early February, TDCJ executive director Gary Johnson laid out a number of possible budgetary reductions which would allow the agency to cut 7 percent of its 2003 fiscal year budget, or a total of $172 million. The cuts have been mandated to all state agency's by Perry and other state leaders.
Among the options put forth in Johnson's letter is an "administrative reduction in force," which would save $1.6 million.
"This reduction in force would result in the elimination of roughly 200 TDCJ administrative staff," the letter said. That represents a cut of about 10 percent. "It would include but not be limited to: Executive Administration, Business and Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, Office of General Counsel, Internal Audit and other division administration."
When those proposed cuts are coupled with another expected 12.5 percent budget reduction for the 2004-2005 fiscal years, it appears inevitable that job cuts are on the horizon at TDCJ.
"I think the word 'possible' can be eliminated when it comes to job cuts. They are going to happen," said TDCJ spokesman Larry Todd. "There are going to be painful, deep cuts."
While agency officials and legislators in Austin already have started to protest that massive cuts to personnel and programs would seriously jeopardize TDCJ's ability to operate effectively, it does not appear the agency will receive special help.
"The members of the Legislature have been told that they don't have enough money to go around," Todd said. "We are looking at what reductions in programs, services and personnel will be eliminated."
Some job cuts already have started. With the somewhat surprising announcement last week that TDCJ had reached its inmate population capacity, drug abuse rehabilitation programs like the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment were hit with immediate reductions in order to free up beds. The move also resulted in immediate reductions in employment.
By Mark Passwaters/Staff Writer The Huntsville Item Newspaper
With the Texas Department of Criminal Justice facing as much as a 20 percent reduction in its budget from the 2003 fiscal year to the 2005 fiscal year, a number of possible cuts to agency programs and services have been discussed.
As a result of those cuts, and a continued need to pare down the budget even further, it is becoming increasingly likely that a significant number of TDCJ employees -- including many in Walker County -- will lose their jobs.
In a letter sent to Gov. Rick Perry and senior members of the state government in early February, TDCJ executive director Gary Johnson laid out a number of possible budgetary reductions which would allow the agency to cut 7 percent of its 2003 fiscal year budget, or a total of $172 million. The cuts have been mandated to all state agency's by Perry and other state leaders.
Among the options put forth in Johnson's letter is an "administrative reduction in force," which would save $1.6 million.
"This reduction in force would result in the elimination of roughly 200 TDCJ administrative staff," the letter said. That represents a cut of about 10 percent. "It would include but not be limited to: Executive Administration, Business and Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, Office of General Counsel, Internal Audit and other division administration."
When those proposed cuts are coupled with another expected 12.5 percent budget reduction for the 2004-2005 fiscal years, it appears inevitable that job cuts are on the horizon at TDCJ.
"I think the word 'possible' can be eliminated when it comes to job cuts. They are going to happen," said TDCJ spokesman Larry Todd. "There are going to be painful, deep cuts."
While agency officials and legislators in Austin already have started to protest that massive cuts to personnel and programs would seriously jeopardize TDCJ's ability to operate effectively, it does not appear the agency will receive special help.
"The members of the Legislature have been told that they don't have enough money to go around," Todd said. "We are looking at what reductions in programs, services and personnel will be eliminated."
Some job cuts already have started. With the somewhat surprising announcement last week that TDCJ had reached its inmate population capacity, drug abuse rehabilitation programs like the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment were hit with immediate reductions in order to free up beds. The move also resulted in immediate reductions in employment.