BUFFETED BY THE CROSSWINDS of federal funding cuts and preexisting budget pressures, the Healey administration drew heightened scrutiny to Beacon Hill’s spending and saving practices by floating the idea of cutting a sizable chunk of state jobs.
Administration officials in recent weeks have approached at least four unions representing public-sector employees to begin discussions about a potential buyout program, the latest flashpoint in a debate about the use of state resources amid delays to food aid and cuts to child care programs.
Buyout talks are preliminary, and Gov. Maura Healey said Wednesday that she has not made any final decisions. Still, the scope could be significant: two labor leaders told CommonWealth Beacon they think the administration is weighing ways to reduce headcount by 2,000 positions or more…