Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he will be forced to lay off 24 full-time employees and reduce hours at 14 museums under his control to cope with a $930,000 midyear budget cut assigned to his office by Gov. Bobby Jindal.
In Baton Rouge, Schedler says that means the elimination of nine full-time and one part-time position at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol—which will also shrink its operations from five to three days per week.
Layoffs, to begin in April, will also be required at museums in Shreveport, Ruston, Monroe, Ferriday, Grambling, Minden, Abbeville, Lake Providence, Oil City, Mansfield and Tioga.
Schedler announced the plans Wednesday, adding operations at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport—the state’s second-largest museum next to the Old State Capitol—will also be reduced to three days per week. The remaining 14 small, largely rural museums will open just one day a week.
Jindal has announced plans to cut $61 million in state spending before the fiscal year ends June 30 to help close a midyear deficit tied to declining oil prices. Lawmakers consider the plans on Friday. Schedler’s office has more details on the layoffs planned across the state.
