European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 19, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday november 19, 1990 the stars and stripes a Page 5 Economy forcing state furloughs re the Assn Interi pro by the associated press new York gov. Mario Cuomo unveiled a plan saturday to Lay off or furlough thousands of state workers 8nd talk of substantial layoffs is intensifying in several other northeastern states. Across the nation officials Are trying hiring freezes and budget manipulations to avoid letting people go. But As the Economy continues to soften Many expect state layoffs to become a common news item. A everyone is preparing for it a said Linda Carroll of the Council of state governments. Marcia Howard research director for the National association of state budget officers said half of the states Are experiencing a decline in tax revenues a barometer of a weakening Economy. As the states collect less Money than expected budget deficits grow leaving state executives with the Prospect of layoffs. A this is the third year for Many states that have had to make budget cuts and even raised taxes a Howard said. A they Are really to the Point where All they can do is Cut  in states with major deficits Stopgap measures such As Early retirement programs and hiring freezes Arentt enough. Massachusetts has Laid off More than 1,700 state employees including social mental health and environmental workers since sept. 1. State officials spent the test year trying to hold off layoffs through attrition. Cit he a hnhsf0m0 or pm sed to Correct a potential Defi san fac 5? err Fri  $1 billion includes 2,000 of l3, if nation of an additional 4,000 state 8?ru50u& att it on and other Acde is by the end of the current fiscal year on March 31. Enwctn0 to led f�13,1 of new Yorkus 250>000 state employees to take mandatory five Day furloughs a move to Reti frn legislators Are expected next a ppr if3? 1 a 3 special session within the Sitf we with the budget problem. Mike Moran a spokesman for the new York civil yes association said talk of the in Pend _ yet a has a devastating effect among state workers. People Are worried whether they will have their jobs or wind up working huge amounts of overtime to make up for Hose Laid off a he said. A a what a sad about it is we Are Tai Keg about people who Are providing real  in new Jersey gov. Jim Florio last week talked of reducing the number of state departments and laying off workers. This comes despite a years hiring freeze and an increase in the state sales tax and taxes on cigarettes and liquor. State treasurer Douglas Berman announced Friday the state budget was $600 million in the red and that layoffs were being discussed. In new Hampshire 150 of the states 10,000 workers were Cut m april. There have been no layoffs in Rhode Island yet but attrition and an Early retirement program for state workers have Cut thousands from the payroll. A new state office building built to House 900 workers has 650. Still Brad Southworth the state personnel administrator said layoffs Are being contemplated. A they Are on the table now with any other action that May be taken a he said. Other states Are approaching the same crisis faced in the Northeast. Lower than expected tax revenues prompted California gov. George Deukmejian last week to present the legislature with a list of cuts totalling $1 billion. A hiring freeze was included in the package. In Georgia Pete Hackney the legislative budget officer said the next legislature faces the Prospect of a a tax or whack budget. A i certainly Hope they can be avoided a he said of layoffs a but i Don t see  other states Are seeking to avoid crisis by taking Early action. Despite a budget surplus Indiana has reduced the number of state workers from 38,000 to 36,000 through attrition since Early 1989. Elsewhere North Carolina has already imposed a hiring freeze Texas has raised taxes Ohio is considering austerity moves Michigan faces budget  train gets 12 tons of gifts to Appalachia St. Paul a. Apr thousands of elated children greeted Santa Claus on saturday As the Santa train made a bittersweet ride through the impoverished appalachian mountains. About 12 tons of snacks toys and other gifts were tossed to eager children a and a few greedy adults a As the train made its 48th annual run through Kentucky Virginia and Tennessee. The train ride kicks off the Christmas season for Small Coal towns Between Pikeville ky., and Kingsport Tenn. Many who helped Santa toss gifts to excited youngsters lining the tracks spoke of the experience with a tinge of sorrow. A if you can go and throw this stuff off without crying you re a better Man than i a said Darrell Rice of Kingsport one of the dozens of volunteers aboard the train. The trip is sponsored by Cox transportation of Jacksonville fla., and the Kingsport area chamber of Commerce. Companies across the nation donate boxes of merchandise magnetic backgammon sets pencils packets of instant Oatmeal bags of pretzels and comic books. One of the trains seven stops was in Elkhorn City ky., straddling the Ken Tucky Virgira Border. Marietta Hogson of Ferrell a Creek guarded her 5-year-old son Adam As a crowd clamoured for Santa a attention. A a in a afraid hell get trampled if he gets too close a Hogson said. The train winds through the major Coal producing areas of Appalachia where some communities Are suffering from Coal Industry layoffs. Cox and chamber of Commerce officials say the Frank Brogden of Kingsport Tenn., again plays Santa Claus on the trains annual run. Gummy bears and tablets that kids Pluck from Between the rail ties May be All they receive for Christmas. Gregory Belcher of Elkhorn City disagreed. A a lot of people Are out of work in this area but i Aon t think its that bad a he said. Belchers son Christopher dropped off an armload of writing tablets pencils and a Cookbook and then sprinted Back to the crowd for More. A the focus of this As far As in a concerned is the great tradition of the train a said Frank Brogden who has played Santa Claus since 1984. A i think some people would think they would be put Down a bit if you focus on  parents with video cameras showed up at Many of the train Crossings. And the seamy Side of Christmas was apparent As a group of adults chased the train from crossing to crossing in southwestern Virginia to Hoard gifts. Cox spokesman Tim Hensley  specify the Cost of the train ride formally known As the Santa Claus special. A it costs a whole lot of Good will a Hensley said. A we operate this train from the Bottom of our heart not the Bottom  the tradition began in 1943 when the line was part of the Clinchfield Railroad. Organizing and distributing the gifts is a dizzying Effort. For 38 years Raymond Galyon of Kingsport has helped solicit donations from merchants and businesses. A i put in about 300 hours a year doing this a said Galyon sitting atop boxes of gifts. This years Bounty was valued at Between $150,000 and $200,000, he said. Salvation army presence welcomed by most malls Sands of time Verona . Up the salvation army a Christmas kettles Are not Only a Welcome sight in shopping malls but the presence of the salvation army generates Noi iday business a Survey released saturday shows. A a Survey was made in response to the Kcf get of some mall chains that prohibited salvation army kettles and Bell ring in Fleir premises last year. Inf Survey found that almost 90 per not the shoppers agreed that salvation try kettles add to the Holiday spirit. The shoppers surveyed at a mall a told not allow salvation army kettles the premises Felt that donating to a salvation army Kettle actually put them in a better Frame of mind for shopping. Many malls whose Holiday plans traditionally include the salvation army a presence reported increased traffic in their places of business said Clark Martire amp Bartolomeo which conducted the Survey. All funds received in the salvation army a traditional Christmas Campaign go directly to the needy a spokesman for the salvation army said. He said last year donations enabled the salvation army to provide food clothing shelter companionship gifts and visitations to More than 6 million needy people across the  the stars and stripes 40 years ago today. Nov. 19, 1950 a american soldiers attacking in a snowstorm advanced eight Miles Over Mountain roads to within 20 Miles of the manchurian Border in Northeast korea.30 years ago today. Nov. 19,1960 a . Navy ships in the Caribbean were in position to assist Guatemala and Nicaragua in repelling any invaders the Navy announced but it said it had no plans to do More than patrol the area unless there was a specific request from either country.20 years ago today. Nov. 19,1970 calling himself naive Marine corps Gen. Lewis w. Walt said he and other american leaders were Overly optimistic Early in the Vietnam war.7 0 years ago today. Nov. 19, 1980a High ranking member of Iran a hostage commission warned that Resolution of the hostage crisis was still a Long Way off and More extreme demands might be forthcoming from Tehran