Oklahoma Tax Commission announces furloughs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma Tax Commission will furlough about 800 employees for two days to deal with the state budget shortfall, workers were told Wednesday. <br><br>The agency could save $133,000

Thursday, October 3rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma Tax Commission will furlough about 800 employees for two days to deal with the state budget shortfall, workers were told Wednesday.

The agency could save $133,000 by requiring workers to take the time off without pay Jan. 1. The furloughs will affect employees who make more than $25,000 a year.

``Our ... administration has looked at every possible means to reduce the budget,'' said Paula Ross, the Tax Commission's spokeswoman.

``Furloughing is one of the last resorts. We know that this will be financially hard on our employees.''

The OTC had been able to avoid a planned furlough earlier this year when other ways were found to save money.

The Tax Commission has frozen hiring. Officials also have released 225 temporary employees and have not replaced any of the 65 permanent employees who left the agency this year.

The agency has 1,045 employees.