Saturday, May 18, 2013

The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Most state workers are not getting a paid holiday after Thanksgiving
Posted: 11.24.2010 at 5:12 PM
17
Slideshow
Photo:

JEFFERSON CITY, MO --  It hasn't happened in nearly thirty years, state workers not getting the day after Thanksgiving off.

Dozens of state workers have called and emailed our newsroom asking us to fact check some rumors.

So our fact finder team looked into these concerns and separated fact from fiction.

We've known about it since May.

That's when Governor Nixon announced he would not sign an executive order making the day after Thanksgiving a holiday.

Since then, confusion and anger have shown in the nearly 500 comments on our website.

Like this one from Rhino said: "I think something like 60% of the state workforce makes $25,000 a year or less. they work for the benefits! give them the day after thanksgiving!!!"

Or this comment from Kevin0: "So stop complaining and take a vacation day....like everyone in the private sector has to do...why (should) state workers be any different."

The debate got more heated when word spread that some capitol workers were getting the day off paid. This included the senate.

"The president pro tem has the choice whether or not to give employees the day after Thanksgiving off. This year he has chosen to give the senate staff the day off,” Senate Communications Director Farrah Fite said.

Fite said the Senate Pro Tem said the day off is justified because senate staff work on other holidays during the legislative session.

Over at the house, Friday will be a regular working day. The house speaker did not grant a holiday.

Another group that could be getting the day off is the legislative assistants, it will be up to their individual legislators to decide if they get the day off.

Another common concern we've heard is that the local economy will be hurt if the nearly 15-thousand state workers here in Jefferson City have to work, instead of shop.

"You can't make revenue without making sales tax. You can't make sales tax without having people out shopping,” Anonymous State Employee said. “But when all your state employees are sitting in here, which is 90 percent of your economy around here, there's no way to make revenue."

So does the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce think this will effect the local economy?

"This hasn't happened for nearly 30 years or so. So it's hard to say exactly whats going to happen,” Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce Community Development Manager Mark Mehmert said. “I don't think it will be a large effect, but certainly it will make a small difference."

Mehmert said state workers may not get to go out and get the great sales this year, but he thinks they will still spend their money for Christmas some other day.

Gov. Nixon's office said they will be open on Friday.


Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Sword-wielding man arrested
Yesterday at 8:25 AM  |  4 comments
Thumbnail
Blair Oaks student to graduate two months after crash
Juliette Dryer  |  Yesterday at 8:00 AM  |  4 comments
Thumbnail
Man robbed while selling EBT card
Yesterday at 9:43 AM  |  4 comments
Follow Connect Mid-Missouri
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Community Connection
Participate in great causes in the community!
Relay For Life of Cole County
Friday, June 7, at 6 p.m. at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds
ADVERTISEMENT