Ka Boom

Well the proverbial bomb has been dropped. This week the State of TN is having its budget hearings. Initially we were told by the Governor that we would have to cut 3% from our budget. The figures have been changed and now it looks like we are being asked to cut 13-15%. The highers up are figuring $300,000 for each %. So, if we are asked for the 15% then we have to cut $4,500,000. Yeah I choked on that too.

So, we had our department meeting yesterday and it of course was depressing. They will be cutting 5-6 jobs before June 30, 2009. They think probably starting in February since that is when the legislature will be back in session and they have to approve all of the budgets (and yes they may ask for more).

To say the least we are all stunned. In the scheme of things, 5-6 people is not a lot considering recent news and the fact that there are 96 people in our department (not counting judges or their staff). But still that thought of “It could be me” went through every ones mind. Well not everyone because you know the higher ups don’t have anything to worry about.

So I sit here, trying not think “What if it’s me”. But I just have to wonder “What if it’s me?”