State furlough law enacted

"Thousands of state workers will take 10 days off without pay over the next 14 months under a law signed Tuesday by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

The new law is a cost-cutting measure approved by the Legislature in the face of a $2.8 billion shortfall in the state’s general fund. The furloughs could cut some $50 million in wage and salary expenses from the general fund and $86 million overall.

Nearly 12,500 state workers will be required to take 10 designated days off without pay unless their management comes up with another way to match projected savings from furloughs."