State offices to be closed on Black Friday

Friday, November 2, 2012

Citing a stronger state budget outlook because of the continued improving Missouri economy, Gov. Jay Nixon today issued an executive order closing state offices on Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.

The State Budget Office earlier today issued its monthly revenue report, showing receipts for the fiscal year up by 7.5 percent from last year.

"Today's news about the state budget reflects the gains our state's economy continues to make, and also provides more certainty for this fiscal year," Gov. Nixon said. "As a result, I am pleased to be able to provide our hard-working state employees with the day off on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Obviously, public safety and other around-the-clock services and facilities will continue their normal operations.

In 2009, Gov. Nixon signed an executive order closing state offices on the Friday after Thanksgiving, a day when, typically, offices have been closed in years past. Because of budget challenges in 2010 and 2011, state offices remained opened those years on the day after Thanksgiving to achieve savings to the budget.

More details in Saturday's News Tribune.

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newone 6 months, 3 weeks ago

A "stronger state budget outlook" BS.....he want's votes, that is all this is about.

JCLifer 6 months, 3 weeks ago

It SAVES the state money to be closed over long weekends. The savings in utilities to heat the buildings can be huge. Would not make sense to heat them up for one day and then shut them down for two more.

It is a nice (if not politically motivated) gesture for the state employees who have had to work harder with less people and budget for supplies, computers, travel, etc.

Also, don't forget that the state employees are going to lose their measly two percent raise in January as the FICA contribution rates increase 2%. It would stink to have not even a cost of living raise for 5 years on top of working with all the cutbacks, layoffs, and lack of support. I don't know how they do it.

muleman 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Who says they even turn the heat down on weekends?

mikemojc 6 months, 3 weeks ago

I'd be less suspicious of motive if the decision had been announced AFTER the election. By giving the day off this year, he's basically said that all the reasons he gave before for not allowing the day off were pretty much BS.

him 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Watch and see, when he loses the election he will cancel this executive order and say the receipts for the fiscal year weren't what they originally figured.

yamahamian 6 months, 3 weeks ago

I'd take your money on that bet :-)

lulu 6 months, 3 weeks ago

muleman:

When we get to work on Monday morning, it's cold in the office; it takes a good day to get it warmed back up. Of course, the opposite applies during the summer - on Monday it is hot and stuffy!!!

asdf 6 months, 3 weeks ago

I don't see Jay Nixon losing this election. Black friday or not.

mia 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Political. For votes.

FarCry 6 months, 3 weeks ago

What a Load! Too little too late Bub. Hey Guv--I along with nearly everyone I spoke with in my building agreed we would rather either give up the eight hours of leave or work that day than suffer the insult to our intelligence with this blatant political ploy. As suggested above, it would be a lot less suspect if you would have done this AFTER the election--not four days before. This governor has had nothing but open contempt and hostility for state employees and like many I know won't make the mistake of voting for him again.

My vote for MO Governor goes to---None of the Above.

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