COVID-19 economy means salary freezes and furloughs at Washington state DNR

Like many businesses and agencies, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is experiencing financial hardship in the wake of COVID-19.

Last week, the state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council predicted the state general fund budget will go down $9 billion until 2023. These lost funds are having an immediate impact on state employees.

In a press release, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz announced Friday that many DNR employees will be required to take one eight-hour furlough per week for the next four weeks, beginning June 28. They also must take four furlough days between August and November 2020.

The press release said those who perform critical health and safety services, such as firefighters, are exempt.

Franz also said there will be a freeze on planned salary increases. With the exception of employees who make $53,000 or less, the 3 percent wage increase has been suspended.

“At the Department of Natural Resources, we are committed to doing our part to weather the economic storm caused by this pandemic. The actions we are taking today will have immediate impacts on the fiscal year that starts next week,” said Franz, who is donating her scheduled salary increase to food access nonprofits.

“Our state family is rising to meet this challenge. We are at our best when we step up to lead, and when we are part of the solution – even when it’s hard, and even when it impacts us directly.”