>N.J. workforce is third most-bloated in country with 19K excess state workers, study says
Published: Thursday, September 23, 2010, 12:04 PM Updated: Thursday, September 23, 2010, 1:21 PM
Lisa Fleisher/Statehouse Bureau
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie wants to cut 1,300 workers from New Jersey state departments this year. But an analysis released this week by the chairman of Columbia University’s political science department suggests there’s far more fat to trim from all corners of state government.
Using a statistical model, the study said New Jersey’s state work force is bloated by at least 12 percent — or 19,000 workers — for a state with its characteristics, third-highest in the nation. It said the state has about $497 million in excess payroll.
“While (Christie’s) proposal has stirred up strong, organized opposition, our results suggest that if anything it is quite modest,” according to the study, which concludes New Jersey “stands out as the strongest candidate” among high-population states for pay cuts and layoffs.
