Christie files notice to lay off 1,200 state workers

Layoff notices have been filed to reduce the state workforce by 1,200 jobs early next year, Gov. Christie said this week. But with attrition, the number of people put out of work is likely to be considerably lower.

Christie's $29.4 billion budget originally called for the state to save $8.8 million by eliminating 1,300 positions, union and nonunion.

More than half of the cuts will likely be achieved through attrition, according to Peter J. Lyden III, a spokesman for the Civil Service Commission.

New Jersey now has 76,876 state workers, about 125 fewer than it did in January, Lyden said.

Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts said the state would have a better idea how many layoffs will be necessary as 2010 draws closer to an end.

"As the governor said, this is nothing new. These are budgeted for, accounted for," Roberts said. "The final number will be subject to the revenue and budget picture for the rest of the year."

So far, Roberts said, revenues and expenditures for the state are largely on track with projections.

As of Nov. 1, there had been 10,729 new applications for benefits submitted to the state's main retirement system this year, up from 7,377 in all of 2009, according to the Division of Pensions and Benefits.

Among areas the governor is targeting are the Motor Vehicles Commission, which could close five of its 46 offices, and the educational staff at the Juvenile Justice Commission, according to Hetty Rosenstein, New Jersey director for the Communications Workers of America, the state's largest public employees union.

Also targeted is the staff at NJN, the state's public television channel, Rosenstein said. Christie has proposed converting NJN into an independent nonprofit station.

Roberts declined to say which departments the governor might cut.

Christie's budget also called for $50 million in savings from privatization efforts. It is unclear if that figure would require additional layoffs.

Rosenstein said no layoffs were necessary.

"There has been so much attrition, so many more people retiring," she said. "There's no good reason for a single person to be laid off."