State & city layoffs could spread

Balanced budgets mean potholes and long lines! Yuk. State and local governments want to balance their budgets – (good!) But that means you may notice fewer services – (Booooo!)

States, cities and towns are dealing with less money coming in from sales and income tax, and more money going out with energy bills higher. 45,000 government workers have already been laid off, according to AFSCME (The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees). I talked to the union’s pension manager – he says you’re going to feel it many ways:

• potholes don’t get filled
• longer lines at the DMV
• longer lines at tollbooths! (they’ll have fewer collectors)
• longer lines getting a marriage license, or any local govt business, because of fewer clerks
• shorter library hours

That stinks. You can get the full story at CNNMoney.com: State, city layoffs: 45,000 and counting