Posted on 07/27/2010 12:28:14 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (Reuters)- Local government revenue has dwindled so severely that U.S. cities and counties will have to cut hundreds of thousands of jobs in the coming months, leaving communities without basic services and pressuring jobless rates, according to a new survey.
The survey, released on Tuesday by three government associations, aims to press Congress on pending legislation that would give them $75 billion over two years to preserve jobs.
Local and state government employment accounts for more jobs in the United States than construction and manufacturing combined. The survey by the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties and U.S. Conference of Mayors found that they are the primary employer in many communities.
Those surveyed -- 214 cities with populations of more than 25,000 and 56 counties of more than 100,000 people -- reported they will cut 8.6 percent of their full-time positions from 2009 through 2011.
"If applied to total local government employment nationwide, an 8.6 percent cut in the workforce would mean that 481,000 local government workers were, or will be, laid off over the two-year period," the report said.
Currently, the U.S. unemployment rate stands at 9.6 percent.
The groups warned that job losses could climb even higher as many states struggle with their own budget gaps and cut aid to cities and counties.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Thank you for giving the biggest reason to go through with a scythe and cut those jobs.
I read somewhere that it takes 2.5 private sector jobs to pay for ONE govt job. So a taking a scythe to these jobs is probably a good start.
That explains the whole problem right there!
States are going bankrupt.
They have no choice.
We can't afford it and there is no reason for it if we are to remain a capitalistic country ... .
My thoughts exact.
Naturally they are going to lay off cops, firefighters and librarians while keeping all the file reduction clerks, wastepaper basket attendants and “special consultants” (read: no show jobs for moron relatives).
We can’t support a huge government with a service economy............Greece is the word.....is the word.....is the word.........
Say what?
I just know there is a message in there someplace.
And they say that like it’s a bad thing!
I’m trying to think how this will be bad.
Oh, I know. They will cut the jobs that actually do something for the people, police, fire, etc. and keep incompetent teachers, overpaid administrators, and tax collectors.
Good thing they voted for Obama.
Think of all the talent and creativity soon to be released into the private sector. This could be the start of an entrepreneurial revolution!
“a scythe”?
How about someone taking a very large industrial bush hog with side cutters to all govt?
Chop off about 60 percent and then you’d have something.
Gee, people who lack the qualifications to sift dirt on the unemployment line!!
But the good news is that they can be replaced by illegals who will do the job of standing around not doing the job they were HIRED to do for less money!!
IMO, the first thing to do is to make all forms of government employee unions illegal.
Great news. Keep the government layoffs coming.
This reminds me of that book cover from years ago...’Buy this book or I’ll shoot this dog’.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.