Patrick Administration To Begin Layoffs

The Patrick administration begins laying off state workers this week, part of a plan to close a $1.4 billion budget gap.

WBUR's Martha Bebinger has more.

Employees at the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs may find out Wednesday if their offer to leave in exchange for $5,000 is accepted. Spokesman Robert Keogh.

KEOGH: We're simply looking to see if there are individuals who have an interest in taking a layoff voluntarily or retiring to free up funding for other employees who might otherwise be laid off.

Friday is the last day for 104 health and human services employees whose layoff/payment agreements have been approved. That offer went out to 23,000 workers.

The job reductions and mandatory furloughs for 1,200 health and human services managers are expected to save just under $4 million.