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NEWS
Republican lawmakers want accounting of unfilled jobs
CHARLESTON -- Three Republican state lawmakers are calling on Gov. Joe Manchin's administration to perform an accounting of all unfilled jobs in state government. Delegates Kelli Sobonya, R-Cabell, Carol Miller, R-Cabell, and Linda Sumner, R-Raleigh, made the request in a letter to the governor earlier this week, according to a prepared release.
The delegates say they made the request after discovering that the state Development Office trimmed $884,000 from its budget by eliminating eight unfilled positions. The budget reduction was made to comply with Manchin's request that all executive agencies reduce general revenue spending by 3.4 percent.
"Our taxpayers' dollars should not be held in accounts for unfilled jobs," Sumner said. "By having an accounting of every unfilled job in state government, we can help save the taxpayers money by reducing the size of government."
Manchin spokesman Matt Turner said the governor implemented restrictions last year that require department heads to approve hirings.
"This isn't a hiring freeze. We are still filling much needed positions," he said. "It also doesn't mean money is lying around in wait."
If a department head determines a position does not need to be filled, the funding for that position is directed elsewhere, Turner said.
"It's a responsible managing of payroll during tough economic times," he said.
