[Ellesu]

Blanco's spending cuts, which are just part of the layoff puzzle, triggered 47 layoffs in a state work force of about 85,000.

[Condor51]

I vote to give Louisiana back to France - they deserve it.

[mtbopfuyn]

Blanco needs a pink slip.

[ClearCase_guy]

Population of MA is about equal to NYC. And MA is losing population (the only state to do so). And it ranks 7th on the list for number of state employees.

And we keep electing Kennedy and Kerry. I've lived here all my life, and I don't plan to move, but Lord we are a messed up state.

[WasDougsLamb]

However, most of the initial round of layoffs apply to workers listed as "missing," which means they have not been in contact with state officials since the storms.

----Nah... to easy

[macmedic892]

"But Rep. Monica Walker, D-Hessmer, said she was surprised and concerned . . . at a time when education and health services were on the chopping block."

Note to the outside world: The Louisiana Constitution is so riddled with spending requirements added by amendments that healthcare and education are the only spending areas that have any flexibility. Therefore, they are ALWAYS on the chopping block! Hell, local firefighters and police get $300 per month from the state CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED.

[Kirkwood]

Everyone working in the LSU healthcare system was furloughed... meaning they were essentially fired although that word is not being used. Since they are technically furloughed, they cannot collect the unemployment benefits they paid into the system for years, By March the entire LSU medical school and research center will likely collapse, sending thousands more into unemployment. Most of the private clinics and hospitals are also closed and those employees are also out of work.

After tourism, the NO heathcare system is the second largest industry employer. These high salary professionals were the driving force that kept the city afloat and the city coffers full. While tourism waxed and waned, healthcare and medical research was an economic constant. Without the LSU medical system in place, the city cannot support a large workforce or a large influx of residents returning to the area.

As New Orleans goes, so goes the rest of Louisiana. The state politicians basically shot themselves in the head on this one.