The Associated Press reports that Governor David Paterson is "ordering 8,900 state workers be laid off after unions refused concessions amid a staggering economic downturn." Apparently Paterson had wanted the unions to forget about raises they received during the last round of negotiations and "also agree to the creation of a fifth tier in the state pension fund," according to the Daily Politics. State budget director Laura Anglin told the AP the governor "is calling for the first state layoffs since the late 1990s after unions refused to even provide counter proposals"; she also said that unions were told and may come back to the negotiating table before the state sets the budget. If not, then layoffs could start in July 1. more ›