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Tuesday, December 07, 2010

A Message From Governor O'Malley

Dear State Employee,

Over the last several years, we have reduced State spending by $5.6 billion and will have eliminated more than 4,200 State government positions.  State employees have played crucial roles in identifying reductions and promoting efficiencies while sharing the burden through furloughs and temporary salary reductions.  I truly appreciate your dedication, patience, sacrifice, and ingenuity as we have moved through this difficult process.

Despite these past efforts, as we look toward the future we must do what so many Maryland families are doing and find new ways to live within our means.  In the case of State government, this means identifying additional opportunities for streamlining operations and reducing the size of the workforce.

As part of this effort, I have authorized a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) for State employees, to be implemented immediately.  Under this Program, I hope to continue to decrease the size of our workforce by allowing employees to voluntarily elect to leave State government.  Application to the program is open to eligible employees within the Executive Branch of State government who voluntarily elect to separate from employment no later than January 31, 2011.  Eligible employees who apply and are selected to participate will receive a lump sum severance payment of $15,000 and an additional service bonus of $200 per year for each year of service.  Additionally, participants will receive three months of fully subsidized health benefits and payment for leave accrual in accordance with applicable law.

There is no doubt that many of you will have questions concerning this program.  I encourage you to fully explore the informational materials available to you on the Department of Budget and Management's website.  Please visit that website at http://dbm.maryland.gov and click the link to the Voluntary Separation Program.  There you will find information on eligibility, the application process, due dates, and other program details.  Additionally, you may call toll free at 855-500-4661 or 410-767-6831, to reach a State representative who will assist you in obtaining information that you may wish to consider as you make your decision about whether to apply to participate in the program.

Thank you again for all your work on behalf of Maryland's families.

Martin O’Malley
Governor 

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Counties.. municipal governments.. do you see this?
You'd better do something.
This looks as good as anything. Check it out.

Anonymous said...

Despite these past efforts, as we look toward the future we must do what so many Maryland families are doing and find new ways to live within our means.

I have the answer, FIRE you and there goes a bunch of money the state could save... IDIOT....

Anonymous said...

So if we're saving so much money, why is the state broke? How about we stop increasing entitlements instead of taking it out on the backs of the working class...

Anonymous said...

So....I would suggest he take it!

Anonymous said...

FYI - This doesn't apply to state employees at Salisbury University!

Anonymous said...

Working class?
The state payroll is FULL of incompetent do-nothings. (Not everybody, of course)
You could reduce State Highway by 30-40% and hardly feel the pinch.
Just get rid of the 3 guys that stand there watching the one or two working.
State jobs are typically overpaid. And the union people protect the incompetent. There's LOTS of dead wood.
This will be a good start.
But you're right, 3:14. Cut entitlements, too.

Anonymous said...

This looks like a sweet deal if you are eligible for retirement. Retire PLUS get a check for $15K is the way I read it. Anyone else would be foolish to take the deal unless they could find another job elsewhere pedaling influence with the State.

Anonymous said...

as a retired state employee (Nursing) I always resent it when it is said that state employees are overpaid and are lazy. State salarys are not comprarable to the private sector ( esp nursing) This may have not been the case 20 years ago but it certainly is a reality of today.What really has always bothered me is that the State of Md pays teachers retirement. I think that should be the countys responsibility. Look at their salarys!!!! It will astound you!!!!!

Anonymous said...

As a former state employee I guarantee you that not everyone is overpaid. Many positions (mostly clerical) are actually below the private sector average.
We could have eliminated jobs without hurting anyone by freezes and eliminating jobs that were vacant.
But the big savings would come with CUTTING ENTITLEMENTS. Make the lazy get off their asses and work.

Anonymous said...

I agree with 4:19. Too many people receiving checks sitting back doing nothing all day while I work to pay for this. Then after they watch their programs, eat their free food, visit their kids' dad in prison, then they go back home provided with tax dollars. Just not fair.

Anonymous said...

4:17 PM

It amazes me that ALL Public employees always compare themselves to OTHER Public employees when it comes to fairness in employment. My wife is a nurse in the private sector and has worked in several hospitals including PRMC as a private sector employee. Can you please tell us how you were rewarded less than the Private Sector? Why pick on a teacher or a cop for that matter? The taxpayers fund ALL of you whether in service or retirement. Times have changed and your government has spent all the money.

Anonymous said...

I always hear people talk about welfare here, Last year i was not working for about 8 months and applied for cash assistance, I had go to worwic the first week, then go work at goodwill for 30 hours a week to receive a cash assistance check. You also have to have search for a job at least ten hours a week and they call and check the place that you put down. After this they gave me a check for 685 a month. I collected Cash assistance for 6 months for a total of 4110 Now I am working again and the child that my ex wife pays goes to the state untill they get back 4,110 dollars. So the state does not just give away money. In my case It seemed to be more of a loan,I pay back what i owe and they also had me work for almost 6 months. Some people need to research before they talk about what they don't know