Senate Republicans Lay Off 3 Aides, 4 Analysts
by Justin Kloczko | Dec 2, 2010 5:18pm
(6) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: State Capitol
After an election season that saw Senate Republicans pick up a seat, the caucus is laying off seven staffers weeks before Gov.-elect Dan Malloy takes office as the first Democratic governor in 20 years.
“As a caucus and as an organization we’re evaluating our goals and objectives,” Senate Minority Leader John McKinney said in a phone interview Thursday. “It’s something that happens after every election.”
Everything from the changing world of new and social media to the fact that the House and Senate Republican leaders will be the voice of the Republican Party, led to the restructuring, McKinney said.
“The governor commands far greater attention than the leader of a state caucus,” McKinney said. That means without a Republican governor our voices will need to be twice as loud, he said referring to himself and House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero.
Employees got wind of the firings late Tuesday afternoon during a staff meeting. The seven firings include three legislative aides and four policy analyists, one of whom also serves as a press secretary. At least two of the seven are eligible for retirement, according to sources.
Before the cuts, the Senate Republican office employed about 32 researchers, lawyers, political directors, a chief of staff, press people, secretaries, public affairs specialists, and senatorial aides.
The sudden decision to layoff the employees who, in some instances, were longtime staffers didn’t sit well with some Capitol insiders. McKinney refused to discuss any of the layoffs or the hiring process to fill those positions.
“You have to understand these were very difficult decisions made in very difficult times,” McKinney said.
McKinney refused to comment on any of the rumors regarding those that may be well suited to fill the positions, including Linda McMahon’s campaign manager and former state Senator David Cappiello or Office of Policy and Mangement Deputy Secretary Michael Cicchetti.
“We have a plan for new hires and that process is under way,” McKinney said.
Christine Stuart contributed to this report.
Tags: legislature, republicans, senate, layoffs
(6) Comments
posted by: hawkeye | December 3, 2010 10:16am
STOP DEFICIT SPENDING PROSPERITY!
The state can’t meet its payroll. In private industry, if you can’t cover your payroll, you have to LAY OFF WORKERS. our deficit spending state government, must do the same.
Don’t play, if you can’t pay!
posted by: lothar | December 3, 2010 7:08pm
While your point is valid hawkeye, it is true that many many companies borrow on a monthly basis to make their payroll. Truth is, corporation finances and cashflow often require creative financing and the state’s finances are particularly complicated. That said… it’s obviously not great policy to be in a situation where you borrow to cover payroll. Way too risky. But it happens all the time.
posted by: CtBeachcomber | December 3, 2010 8:14pm
Doesn’t a layoff imply that the position is being eliminated or unfunded for at least a substantial time? If there are new people already lined up, are they being laid off?
posted by: Disgruntled | December 4, 2010 9:30am
” ...Truth is, corporation finances and cashflow often require creative financing…”
Great observation. Connecticut should become the next Lehman Brothers?
posted by: JAM | December 4, 2010 11:30am
Corporations may borrow to meet short term cash needs, but the ones that stay in business do it against short term expected revenues to cover the cash advances. Those that borrow against hopes go bankrupt.
Bottom line is that the State’s total payroll expense( payroll, benefits, retiement payments, etc)is way out of line with its revenues and must be reduced.
posted by: ... | December 4, 2010 12:19pm
I’m sorry Disgruntled, but you arne’t very good at taking quotes out of context.
I fail to see him saying Lehman Brothers in his sentence. While they are a financial corporation, lothar is discussing the finances and cash flows of all corporations.
Not even just corporations, all companies (small and large) deal with finances, the issue of continuous and positive cash flow, and often discussing or implementing creative finance tactics to keep themselves in the black.
I agree though with both hawkeye that the new state congress and executive branch need to look into both reduction and increased revenue to pay for what we often take for granted.