Baker Official: 4,500 State Workers Must Take Buyouts to Avoid Layoffs

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The Baker administration on Monday said 4,500 state workers must accept buyouts or there will be layoffs.

The Boston Globe reported Baker’s plan would save $178 million in the next fiscal year. The state faces a roughly $1 billion budget shortfall, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Association.

“We need to get to that (4,500) number, one way or another,” state Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore told the Globe. “If we’re not able to reach this number, I’m going to have to do layoffs.”

Baker is set to unveil the plan Wednesday. It would need to be approved by the Legislature.

Photo credit: Bob Dennis via Flickr