Montgomery, AL – State Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan has dropped plans to reduce his employees' salaries by 7.5 percent because of state budget cutbacks.
McMillan says he and his staff have found better ways to cut spending than taking it from the paychecks of 300 employees. McMillan said there won't be any additional layoffs either.
McMillan's department was the only one in state government that had considered reducing paychecks.
McMillan said his department will cope with the 10.6 percent cut in the state General Fund budget by putting off equipment purchases and trimming expenses in areas other than staff. The current plan is effective through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)