Arkansas finance officials expect the number of state employees furloughed next week because of the federal government shutdown to rise drastically. The exact figure, however, remains unclear.
The Department of Finance and Administration on Friday estimated that nearly 1,600 workers will be idled starting Monday because of the federal shutdown that began Oct. 1. But that figure included hundreds of employees from the Department of Human Services who won't be affected.
Gov. Mike Beebe earlier had said he expected about 1,460 furloughs starting Monday. The figure remained in flux as the state reviewed requests from agencies to keep workers on the job.
Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more details.