WHEREAS, the national and state economic downturn has resulted in an unprecedented budget deficit for the State of Wisconsin; and

        WHEREAS, after cutting $533 million in the current 2007-09 budget, and in response to a $6.6 billion deficit in the upcoming biennium, I have proposed $3 billion in reductions to spending; and

        WHEREAS, in response to the budget deficit and the dire economic situation that exists, it is necessary for the State, in conjunction with implementing spending reductions, cost-saving measures and layoffs, to furlough state employees;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of this State, and specifically by sections 111.90, 230.34(2) and 230.35(5)(b) & (c) of the Wisconsin Statutes, do hereby:

        1. Declare that the national economic situation and the budget deficit facing Wisconsin has resulted in an emergency situation as contemplated by sections 230.34(2) and 230.35(5)(c) of the Wisconsin Statutes, which grant the governor the authority to take certain actions, including those set forth herein;

        2. Require employees of state agencies and the University of Wisconsin System (UWS), including faculty and academic staff, to take eight days or their equivalent (64 hours) of unpaid leave (furlough days) during each fiscal year of the 2009−11 fiscal biennium, for a total of sixteen furlough days (128 hours) in the 2009-11 biennium;

        3. Direct state agencies and the UWS to develop furlough plans, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Office of State Employment Relations (OSER) and in compliance with federal and state laws and applicable state employee collective bargaining agreements, under which state employees, including UWS employees, shall take the equivalent of eight unpaid furlough days (64 hours) during each fiscal year of the 2009-2011 biennium;

        4. Direct state agencies and the UWS, as part of their furlough plans, to close their offices and facilities for business if possible on the following days:
                a. Monday, October 12, 2009, Columbus Day,
                b. Friday, November 27, 2009, Day after Thanksgiving,
                c. Monday, February 15, 2010, Presidents’ Day,
                d. Friday, May 28, 2010, Friday before Memorial Day,
                e. Monday, October 11, 2010, Columbus Day,
                f. Friday, November 26, 2010, Day after Thanksgiving,
                g. Monday, February 21, 2011, Presidents’ Day, and
                h. Friday, May 27, 2011, Friday before Memorial Day;
 
        5. Authorize additional closures of state government and UWS offices and/or facilities and other deviations in the office hours or standard basis of employment that are necessary to implement the furlough plans described herein;

        6. Direct state agencies and UWS to submit their furlough plans, which must be in compliance with federal and state laws as well as applicable state employee collective bargaining agreements, to the Office of State Employment Relations for approval; and

        7. Direct the Office of State Employment Relations to work with state agencies and UWS to develop and approve furlough plans that provide flexibility to accommodate operational needs.

        IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed.  Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this twenty-third day of June in the year two thousand and nine.

________________________
Jim Doyle
Governor

By the Governor:

________________________
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State