State consumer protection efforts could take budget hit
|
|
District attorneys and public defenders have lobbied away most of the layoffs proposed in the governor’s budget, but the attorney general’s office says it is getting hammered with cuts and a rejected transfer of consumer protection duties. Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager said consolidating consumer protection activities, including the state’s no-call list, into the state Department of Justice would cut about 14 jobs and save $1.92 million. But the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee has rejected the transfer and said investigation of consumer complaints and telemarketers should remain within the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Because the cost-savings proposed with the transfer appealed to lawmakers, however, the committee has ordered the Agriculture Department to still find $1.92 million and 13 jobs to cut. The Justice Department also must cut 40 jobs and $10 million in the next two years, the committee said. More : jsonline.com |