DA'S OFFICE FEELS STATE BUDGET CRUNCH

 

 

For Immediate Release:

In direct response to the budget crisis facing the State of Georgia, District Attorneys across the State will be forced to impose mandatory unpaid furloughs on their State paid employees to meet Governor Perdue’s directive to cut all State budgets by 6%, according to Douglas County District Attorney David McDade.

In a letter received on August 1, 2008, the Governor advised all State agencies that State revenues would not meet the projected amounts necessary to continue operations as planned in the fiscal year 2009 budget which began on July 1, 2008. The Governor immediately issued a State employee hiring freeze and a moratorium on all non essential travel and purchases.

Douglas County District Attorney David McDade, who for many years has represented the Georgia District Attorney’s Association at the Capital, said that he along with numerous other prosecutors met and thoroughly discussed a number of potential options before finally deciding to impose the furloughs. “This will be tough for everyone and their families; however, I want the public to know that every single member of my staff will continue to work right through the furlough…because they are dedicated to what we do. The criminals aren’t going to stop working and neither are we,” said McDade.

McDade said he is working closely with the Board of Commissioners and County Administrator Eric Linton to workout a plan to ensure that there is no interruption in service and is confident that local leaders will join him in his efforts to find a way to make up the lost wages for the employees. McDade said that Chairman Worthan and the entire Board have always been strong supporters of public safety and his office and that working together this problem will be dealt with.

In addition to the furloughs which began September 1, many District Attorney Offices will also be forced to leave positions unfilled because of the hiring freeze. In McDade’s office that means his Victim Advocate office will lose at least one State paid position, according to spokesman Catherine Branch. If the furlough’s and the hiring freeze are not enough to offset the budget shortfall, more drastic measures will be implemented, according to McDade, including layoffs of state paid employees which make up about 25% of McDade’s staff.

The furloughs and possible layoffs are in addition to the steps already put in place by the Governor which include the elimination of a pay raise for all State employees, elimination of the longevity raises for the most experienced Assistant District Attorneys and the elimination of planned training programs, according to McDade.

“Although these are tough times for everybody right now, we just want to make sure the bad guys know we’re still coming after them,” stated McDade.