FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — One day before state workers must take the first of six furlough days this fiscal year, a judge blocked an attempt to halt the mandatory time off.

 

Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip J. Shepherd on Thursday denied a temporary injunction that would have kept juvenile corrections officers and social workers at their jobs while other workers were furloughed.

 

Shepherd did keep the door open for the six plaintiffs to amend their lawsuit, and denied the state’s motion to dismiss the case.

 

Gov. Steve Beshear furloughed 36,000 state workers for six days during the fiscal year to save $24 million. Limited exceptions to the furloughs have already been approved for critical public safety and mental health care positions.

 

Several hundred political appointees in state government have been laid off, saving $5 million.
“We appreciate the court’s attention to this issue, and will continue our planned furlough action tomorrow,” said Beshear spokeswoman Kerri Richardson. “These are extraordinary economic times, and we are forced to implement appropriate budget balancing cost savings efforts.”

 

Richardson said the furloughs have been arranged to minimize service disruptions for citizens, and will save taxpayers approximately $24 million. She said the furloughs also will prevent more than 400 state employee layoffs.

 

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 62 had sought to stop the furloughs.

 

“While we are disappointed that we did not gain a temporary stay against furloughs today, Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd has left the door open and called for additional information before making a final decision,” said AFSCME spokesman Dave Paladino.

 

Paladino said state workers and the people they serve “are being exposed to irreparable harm.”
“We will continue to fight for the safety and security of Kentucky’s communities and against this plan,” he said.
 

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