any positions in his administrative office going??????

And with all of those cuts we'll still have thousands more state employees than larger states have. Not NEARLY enough high paid, middle-management types were canned. And Dippy Don is still hiring $100K+ positions.

They should have made most of the cuts at DOT.

I think the Governor is in LA LA land, he doesn't have a clue how state government is run. He just can't chop jobs like he would in private industry. State government is a service organizations, something he has never worked at. Time to get rid of him.

It is unfortunate that the cuts by the current administration are imminent but as the economy shifts, workers will need to re-tool, improve their skills, and be assertive in their future endeavors. The soon to be unemployed worker should register on JobsinRI.com immediately since there are over 900 jobs currently available. My suggestion is to stay positive and start applying for your new position immediately.

So, let me see if I understand what is going on. Jobs are being cut because of an excessive state deficit, a deficit that was created by mismanagement and poor planning on the part of state government. What I don't understand is WHY the people involved in the mismanagement aren't cut first ?!

I say screw it , Cut them all totally..

Government is only limited to what is stated in the state Constitution, Nothing more nothing less. SO all those a-b-c organizations that suck the blank check tit of the taxes payer can all go.

We will all be fine since these organizations didnt always exist and Rhode Island did just fine and its citizens lived just fine.

An 1800 early 1900 Rhode Islander didn't pay a third of all the taxes we already pay nor the regulations we have to deal with. Freedom's the answer! whats the question?

Read, Learn and re-read the founding documents and RI's State Constitution.

Joe must be a union worker; the citizens of this state must stand by the Governor and these cut backs. I hope more cut backs are made in some of the programs which are always abused

Why aren't people who spent so much money on an "advertising" program for the new highway being oust of their jobs? Why is it that all the cuts are "little people" not the rediculous overpaid administators. I am glad I don't live in RI anymore.

This is totally disgusting!! How come no one from his office is cut??? Absolutely nothing should have been cut from DHF and DCYF! Why do the children have to pay for the politicans paychecks? Why don't THEY volunteer for paychecks in there high-price salaries? Unbelievable!

First off, I think we should quit the name calling, i.e. "Dippy Don" and show a bit of respect to the Governor; he is a qualified and accomplished person who made appropriate cuts that are way overdue. Historically, the process used to fill these jobs has been riddled with abuse and corrpution; given out to panderers, family and friends. Generations of Rhode Islanders have come to accept that this is the way that things are done. Let us remember that State jobs are service posts; they are not to be glorified by system bilking cronies, but rather performed by qualified individuals who are of a philanthropic mindset and wish to give back to their communities while earning a living. Enough of the 5 hour workdays and putting the screws to the taxpayers; trim off the fat, replace lazy and incompetent workers and the result will be that we will improve the quality of our State services while reducing our overhead. Pretty simple math. And by the way, Unions are nothing more than labratory dishes that breed the bacteria of poor work ethic and a sense of entitlement; they should go too!

This is the correct thing to do. It won't fix everything, but one has to start somewhere.
It will be a challenge for the departments affected to re-arrange staff needs, etc. but a $450 million projected deficit in the STATE budget calls for difficult - and sometimes unpopular - choices.

Way to go "Don", if you cannot get your way, and produce what you claim you were brought in for, simply hack off heads to get the media and your constituents off your back. You and all in the know, realize that what you are doing is distroying an existing social system. Your legacy will continue to be seen for many years to come. I hope that you will be happy from your efforts. Most ineffectual governor in Rhode Islands history.

How can a governor,who claims to be compassionate and a christian,do such cutbacks? Why cant he do them across the board. I think we need unions and all citizens of r.i. need to sthand up for the poor and new poor and do what Jesus would do, form a peaceful walk demonsstration from north kinston,near his home to the state house.

The Governor has been asleep at his desk for the last 5 years....this crisis did not happen overnight. And what happened to the results of the "BIG AUDIT'..I am ashamed to admit I voted for him as a "Business man" who had the expertise and insight on how to manage a Corporation, but now learn that he is all "smoke and mirrors". He can't sit back and blame all of this on the General Assembly, although they take the majority of the blame. This crisis was evolving years ago....Carcieri (I do not consider him a Governor) failed to alert the people of Rhode Island ADEQUATELY. He may quote some of his "soundbits" regarding pending deficits, but he and his administration blew it for all Rhode Islanders. He was elected Governor in spite of the large Democrat population in Rhode Island...he could have avoided this crisis by STRONGLY appealing to those that put him in office to counter the General Assembly's give away programs. The first thing to do now is to remove those from the Budget, for which there are millions of $$$ and then cut the TOTAL State payroll.

I see that as usual we can't count the governor to lead by example. Perhaps he should have started layoffs with the postion of the State Police officer that guard's the governor's home overnight in low crime East Greenwich. No other governor has ever been attacked let alone at night. Other governors have survived without this expensive perk. How about Steve Cass. Does the state need a communications director for the gov's office at a cost of over $ 120,000.00 plus benefits? He has a press secretary. Tell me the state can afford all those people to tell us what the governor is really saying? It political patronage and that under this governor seems to be the last to go. Cut nurses but keep political hacks is the governor's motto. Now perhaps some might think the governor needs his own lawyer despite all the lawyers on the state payroll. But the gov. hired a lawyer who has not practiced for over nine years and who he had talked into running for Lt. Gov on his ticket and then dumped when a more popular choice became available. More patronage. Would you hire a doctor that had not practiced in 9 years or an accountant? or an auto mechanic? More political patronage jobs being protected by this governor. If there is to be sacrifice why can't we see the governor lead by example, he wants sacrifice out of others but wants his perks protected and business as usual in the Don's office. Get real governor and dont be so sleazy.

Governor Carcieri should just declare the state bankrupt and then ask a FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY JUDGE to declare all union contracts null and void. Also ask the courts to seize the legislatures “Slush Fund”, declare that Judge “Lincoln” Williams needs to also have his budget approved by the federal courts. All other elected positions like the Auditor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State will all have to get in line as well. If that ever happened you would see everybody come to the table and resolve this problem. I cannot afford to keep paying more taxes.

Go Governor!

I can't wait to see how the entitlement programs are cut next. I suggest Carcieri release a statement telling those receiving handouts to dust off their resumes because the gravy train is leaving the station.

It seems to me that in typical RI fashion the small and weak carry the burden of the rich and overpaid. Why is it the highest paid are reduced the least? Cut more political cronies with high salaries and less of the little people need to be cut.If we made our judges work a normal 35 hr. workweek we could probably eliminate one third to one half of them. All consultants should go. When did it begin that you retire from state employment, and then return back on the payroll as a consultant. If any department needs consultants, then the man/woman in charge obviously is not qualified to be in charge.

At DLT, there is one division I know of that has 3 administrators for 15 people. Of course, their jobs are safe. However, there are not enough inspectors or clerical personnel to perform the jobs that serve the State of Rhode Island. For shame! Now, there's a real waste of taxpayer's money.

Our lovely governor is a Bussshhh clone. " Let them eat cake". Feed the rich and starve the poor. He attacks state workers who for the most part provide a human service and gives takes breaks to the rich and corporate interests. A true republican. Unfortunately unlike Buusssshhh we own him for 3 more years. He even likes the Iraq war. R.I. voters, why oh why did you elect this reverse Robin hood...Feed the rich...starve the poor..a true Christian.

RI is the most heavily taxed state in the nation! Something like this must be done or taxes will get worse. More RI citizens will move out of state, more business`s will move out of state unless expenses are cut a lot!!

Maybe those big money makers need some education on what Public Service means. Isn't one of these positions for a Supervising Registered Nurse? Did we forget so soon that a shortage of people in this position led to monstrous overetime pay. I hope that guy is not tired...this should make even more overtime available. Get real Govna..lets see a list of salaries for all the people YOU hired..oh that's right the list isn't finished....he is STILL hiring. There are real ways to cut the budget but it seems the Gov doesn't have the, ahem, you know whatskis to really make a difference.

What happens to the long term Ventilator patients at the MHRH if all those nurses and CNA's are let go. Will there be enough staff to manually vent them should the power go off or will they die?

What in the world is this governor thinking? Never mind, it is obvious that he is not thinking. Why are jobs in the medical field being cut when there is such a shortage for personnel? And cutting jobs in mental health? I think the governor needs to rethink that one as obviously he is going to be in need of that same type of health care as he has obviously lost his mind and with all these cuts in mental health there will be no one to care for him.

I agree with the other poster about inquiry as to administrative cuts from his office? I'd be interested to know what kind of salary HIS secretary (ies) makes.

I voted for Carcieri in the last election and am kicking myself every day for being so duped by him and his tactics to the point it literally makes me ill. Better take care of myself as there won't be anyone anywhere to take care of me. He wanted mandatory overtime for nurses but he cuts nursing positions????? Does he have some type of vendetta against nursing and the health care profession?

its about time. he reallly needs to start thinking about the next cut. the legislature should also help make the cuts or.....cut the budge else where. joe

OK, everyone take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Let me begin by saying that I work in the private sector, am neither republican nor democrat. I'm a family man who has been fired, laid off, and gone on strike. I am not rich and I sacrifice everyday to provide for my family. OK, Let's look at some of the things that are being said instead of going off on a childish name calling rant against the governor or state employees:
1) There have been warning signs about this deficit coming for years and the legislature whom we all know run this state refused to address the coming crisis. There are about 15 republican legislators and one republican governor. The democrats hold the power. Read Bob Healey's letter to the editor for more info.
2)Remember when the governor asked all state workers to take four unpaid days off to help with the deficit? The unions refused to help in any way. Look at the American Airlines. Their employees had a choice, work with the leaders to make the company profitable or the company would file bankruptcy and lay large numbers of people off. They chose the former and saved their jobs and the company and state unions chose the latter.
3)Look at the budget. Look at the duplication of services. Does every agency need to act like a mini fiefdom? Companies in the private sector always look to eliminate duplication of services. That's how you keep expenses down. The state gives away 18 million dollars a year to about 400 groups. Some of these groups serve a valuable purpose while some just look at the state as a source of free money. The legislature employs about three people per legislature at the state house. Why?
4) Where are the legislature leaders? They came back into session for one day to override the governors vetoes to restore spending that was cut from the budget but won't come back to try and save the 500 plus jobs being eliminated. Their silence is deafening.
5) Raising taxes is out of the question! We are rated 50th out of 50 states for a positive business environment. We have been called "Tax Hell" in a national magazine. Companies are not attracted to states with high taxes and expenses nor are they attracted to states that lie about tax breaks. If you think that A. Duie Pyle Moving company is not telling other companies how they got tricked into locating here, you are fooling yourself. We need private companies to employ people. The idea of just raising the taxes on the "wealthy" doesn't work. They will just move and then the taxes paid by the "wealthy" will actually drop. We are still paying an extra tax from the credit union crises that started 15 years ago and ended 5 years ago. Not only that but we also have a meal tax tax!
6) Cut expenses. That means entitlement programs. We are guaranteed the right to life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness. We are not ENTITLED to free daycare, health care, food, rent, transportation, etc. We are so successful at attracting people who want something for nothing. There is a reason why our college graduates are leaving (except those who major in social work).
OK, This is long enough. This is my opinion. Everyone can cry about what's happening but we need real solutions. We can't keep on rearranging the deck chairs and asking the band to play a happy tune while the USS Rhode Island sinks. We need the leaders in the legislature to step up and show us why they are the leaders. If you hate the governor, fine. In the meantime let's come up with a realistic, workable solution. All this name calling and crying doesn't solve anything and just waste time.