Executive Order  No. 290: Reduction of the size of the Executive Branch of state government

Executive Order No. 290

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has faced budget deficits in each of the last three fiscal years,

WHEREAS, the deficits have been caused by spending in excess of revenues as a result of a failure to meet revenue estimates and escalating costs,

WHEREAS, immediate steps must be taken to reduce the overall level of state spending and avoid a deficit in the current fiscal year,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Evelyn F. Murphy, Acting Governor of the Commonwealth, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution as Supreme Magistrate, do hereby order as follows:

Article I

Reduction of the size of the Executive Branch of state government

• 1.1. The number of management positions in each cabinet secretariat shall be reduced by 25% by December 31, 1990.
• 1.2. The Secretary of Administration and Finance (the "Secretary") shall forthwith design an early retirement incentive program, including the drafting of any legislation and the planning of administrative measures required for implementation for all employees in order to reduce the workforce of the Commonwealth, while avoiding layoffs to the extent possible.
• 1.3. The Secretary shall forthwith implement a temporary payroll reduction for state employees in the Executive Branch whose salaries exceed $40,000. Salary levels will be restored to current levels when the budget of the Commonwealth is balanced. In those cases covered by union contracts or civil service, the Secretary shall forthwith take the necessary actions required in order to implement these temporary reductions.
• 1.4. The Secretary shall forthwith prepare a plan to restructure his department which shall take into account the recommendations of the Management Task Force and which shall be designed to achieve a 10% reduction in payroll.
• 1.5. The Secretary shall forthwith freeze all remaining out-of-state travel funds and all overtime except to the extent required to protect the public safety until such time as the budget of the Commonwealth is balanced.

Article II

Elimination of Non-essential state spending

• 2.1. The Secretary shall immediately take actions, legislative or administrative, to sell or lease the Massachusetts Convention Center and all other surplus state property as listed in the Massachusetts Real Estate Assets System Report.
• 2.2. The Secretary of Administration and Finance shall consult with other cabinet secretaries to identify non-essential programs and services; implement a program to eliminate, privatize or temporarily suspend such programs and services and submit the appropriate legislation and design the appropriate administrative actions to accomplish these purposes.

Evelyn F. Murphy, Acting Governor
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Michael Joseph Connolly
Secretary of the Commonwealth