State House announces furloughs

Speaker Robert A. DeLeo today joined with House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. in announcing that employees of the Massachusetts House of Representatives will participate in a five-day furlough program expected to yield approximately $620,000 in savings.

These savings are in addition to the $602,810 the House has already returned to the General Fund in Fiscal Year 2010 and to the $2,040,600 returned in Fiscal Year 2009.

"I applaud the dedicated men and women who serve the people of Massachusetts in the House of Representatives for doing their part to realize these budget savings," DeLeo said. "Every corner of state government has been hit by the recession, and the House is no different."

"The difficult times we face require shared sacrifice. The furloughs being announced today are another step in that shared sacrifice," Jones said. "It is a difficult but necessary step to help address this fiscal crisis."

The furloughs are the latest cost-saving action taken by the House. Recent savings in House operations include:

• Discontinuing reimbursement of Massachusetts Bar fees and staff business cards;
• Reductions in cleaning costs;
• Capping of franking privileges;
• Reduction and re-negotiation of General Law set purchases; and
• A reduction in annual paper costs.

Members of the House will also have the opportunity to participate in the furlough program if they wish to do so.