Gov. Jim Pillen’s order to eliminate 1,000 jobs may not be as easy or painless as planned

The May 1 list shows jobs subject to the governor’s executive order requiring the elimination of state government positions that have been vacant for at least 90 days, with several exceptions.

Among the positions listed are 36 developmental disability service coordinator and supervisor jobs, the lack of which could slow efforts to end the state waiting list for developmental disability services and implement a new program for children. Not filling 65 social services worker and supervisor jobs may mean Nebraskans seeking public assistance would have to wait longer for help.

Losing six gaming compliance representative jobs could mean oversight of new opened gambling casinos would be jeopardized. The loss of 15 economic development consultant positions, along with a business recruitment and development manager, could lead to missed opportunities to build Nebraska’s economy.

The list also includes 14 federal aid administrator jobs, spread across several agencies, which might make it harder for the state to comply with regulations regarding federal dollars. Going without 11 automotive/diesel mechanic jobs could delay maintenance and repair of state highway equipment.

When announcing the executive order, Pillen said state government had continued to function with those positions vacant and said money allocated for chronically vacant positions was not being used effectively. A few of the jobs on the list have been open for years, with the oldest dating back to Sept. 1, 2012. The vast majority became vacant within the past 12 months.

“We have proven we can work without them, so we will eliminate them and return the money to the taxpayers,” Pillen said last month.

Pillen’s spokeswoman, Laura Strimple, said the order allows agencies to keep and fill positions if they request exemptions and can justify the need for the positions.

“The governor will work with all agencies to ensure right sizing to fit the needs of Nebraskans,” she said. “The (executive order) ensures that all vacancies are reviewed to provide taxpayer value, while also ensuring that no services are diminished.”

Others have concerns about the governor’s action. Justin Hubly, executive director for the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, said members of the state employees union have expressed worries that the loss of state positions would affect the services they provide to Nebraskans.

State workers also have taken issue with the governor’s contention that being able to function without those jobs means the positions are not needed. Hubly said workers have managed, but only by putting in overtime and taking on heavier workloads than can be maintained over a long period.

“It’s penny-wise and pound-foolish,” he said.

Hubly also said some positions have remained vacant, not because they are unneeded, but because of the pay. He noted that about 10% of all social services worker positions statewide are on the list of 90-day vacancies. He said vacancies lead to increased workloads, which, in turn, push more people to quit.

The governor’s executive order also would fall more heavily on some agencies than others, according to the list. The order would wipe out nearly 40% of positions allotted to the Racing and Gaming Commission, which has expanded rapidly as Nebraska implements a constitutional amendment allowing casino gambling at horse racetracks.

Lynne McNally, executive vice president of the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said one key position on the list is the state racing steward. She said the job has remained vacant because it is highly specialized and difficult to fill. But she said the steward is the head judge of horse races and is required for races to be held.

She said the gaming compliance representative positions were created in anticipation of the casinos opening up. The positions are not filled, however, until they are needed. The first permanent casino created in the wake of the constitutional amendment — Harrah’s Columbus, Nebraska Racing & Casino — opened on Friday.

Casey Ricketts, the commission’s acting executive director, said the agency would request exemptions for critical positions but is waiting to hear from the Department of Administrative Services exactly which jobs would be affected.

“We have some essential positions within our agency and it would impact us to lose those,” she said.

The Department of Economic Development, which has taken on more responsibilities in recent years, would lose nearly 20% of its positions under the governor’s order. A department spokeswoman did not say whether agency officials would seek exemptions for any of those jobs.

Instead, she said officials were “confident that our dedicated team of public servants will be able to carry out the department’s responsibilities effectively and efficiently as we serve Nebraskans” and said the governor’s office and budget team have supported the agency’s mission.

In the end, Pillen may eliminate fewer positions than he touted in late April, when he signed the executive order. His office said at the time that the initial round of job eliminations would apply to nearly 1,000 positions. The list provided by his office included 973 jobs.

But the list included 42 child and family services specialist, supervisor and trainee positions, which are exempt from the order. Another 28 positions included are at state institutions, which also are exempt.

Exemptions sought by agencies could further whittle away at the number of jobs eliminated. Strimple said the list will be revised before the order takes effect on June 1 to account for positions that have been filled, exempted or newly hit the 90-day mark. Similar reviews are to be undertaken every 90 days.

“The goal is to have a robust process that encourages continuous review by the budget office and the agencies to ensure that vacancies are not left unaddressed for years, as was noted on the list we provided,” she said.

Pillen’s office estimated savings from the initial round of eliminations at $39.4 million, including $15.2 million of savings to the state’s general fund. The order would cut 0.2% of the state general fund budget for the fiscal year ending June 30. Other savings would come from federal funds or various cash funds.

The order does not apply to several categories of positions, including law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, children and family services specialists, and “other similar positions that directly involve public safety.”

Also exempt are positions that provide direct operational support for prisons, veterans homes and other 24-hour facilities, highway maintenance and construction workers, and positions that are not covered under the state personnel system.

The last category includes positions at the University of Nebraska, state colleges and universities, the court system, the Legislature, agency heads and top positions within state agencies. The last category also exempts the staff members of state elected officials, including positions in the Governor’s Office.