More state furloughs could be coming in Georgia

(AP) — Even more furloughs could be on the way for state employees in Georgia.

While Gov. Sonny Perdue has said his budget for the next fiscal year doesn't include more unpaid days for state employees, at least one agency head said she may need to again use furloughs to balance her budget.

State Human Services Commissioner B.J. Walker told a joint legislative appropriations panel that she must use either furloughs or layoffs to bring down staff costs in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Employees in Walker's department — which handles child welfare and services for the elderly — have already been hit with 12 furlough days for the current fiscal year.

Perdue is ordering three more furlough days for state employees before the June 30 end of the fiscal year.