FROM INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING

More than four dozen state employees in education and commerce agencies were laid off this week, while an additional 80 positions will go unfilled. Part of the impacts from ongoing budget cuts.

Affected agencies include the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Destination Development Corporation, Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Indiana Department of Education.

The Indiana School for the Deaf and Indiana State Library were hardest hit, losing 14 and 16 employees, respectively.

Agency spokespeople say the layoffs were not taken lightly and only made after open positions were left unfilled.

Almost every state agency received a five percent cut in the new state budget. They also face a legislative mandate to withhold an additional five percent of funding for salaries, wages and operating expenses.

The administration says the combined savings between layoffs and unfilled positions is a little more than 14 million dollars.

The state did not indicate whether services would be affected by the layoffs.