Loser: State employees. The only consolation for the State Employees Association was the body count of lost jobs in New Hampshire is lower than in neighboring states on a per-capita basis.
In addition to layoffs, however, the final agreement slashes personnel spending by an additional $25 million (hello early retirements and worker furloughs). A $20 million cut in the Health and Human Services Department will likely add to the job cuts.
They also lost for two years long-held bumping rights that enable a veteran, laid-off worker to take the job of a less senior employee.
Then there are changes in retirement. New state employees will pay 7 percent instead of 5 percent toward their pension. Also, public retirees younger than 65 have to, for the first time, pay a monthly premium ($65 per person) for their health-insurance coverage.
Kevin's column is always loaded with great stuff from the State House.
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