Alaska issues over 10,000 layoffs amid budget shortfall
The governor of the US state of Alaska has begun issuing more than 10,000 layoff notices to state workers amid a budget standoff.
Bill Walker made the announcement at a press conference in the city of Anchorage, the state's largest, on Monday.
The move as made amid disagreement between lawmakers from the House and Senate over a $3 billion budget shortfall the state is facing for the forthcoming fiscal year.
Walker slammed the Legislature for inaction on the proposed budget.
Unless an agreement is reached among the lawmakers, a partial government shutdown would begin on July 1.
“A budget that is not funded is not a budget. It’s a check that bounces," Walker told reporters, further detailing the relatively small budget items being fought over.
“The amount of difference being argued over right now in the Legislature is essentially about 1 percent of the problem,” said the governor. "We want to focus on the 99 percent opportunity we have to solve this."
Walker took responsibility for the layoffs, saying “If there’s an apology to be made, it must be mine.”
NT/NT
Dozen US states sue Trump government over 'insane, reckless' tariffs
Trump ratings low amid US economic turmoil
Moroccan port workers protest Maersk ship carrying F-35 parts to Israel
UN offers condolences to Iran after deadly Bandar Abbas explosion
US airstrikes hit seized Israel-linked ship in Yemen: Report
Israeli settlers cut water supply to Palestinians in West Bank
VIDEO | Austria protests mourn Gaza deaths
Ex-spy chief urges ‘revolt’ against Israeli regime; says Tel Aviv must be ‘stopped’
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | Paris hosts ‘end famine’ rally in support of Gaza
Global reactions, offers of assistance pour in after huge deadly explosion in S Iran
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
