By KRWG News
New Mexico – Most state offices are closed Friday because it's an unpaid furlough day for workers.
This is the fourth of five furlough days ordered by Gov. Bill Richardson to save about $8 million to deal with state budget problems.
The furloughs apply to about 17,000 employees in agencies under the control of the governor. They do not affect schools, colleges or other branches of government such as the courts. However, some schools and local governments are closed because it's Good Friday.
About 4,100 workers in public safety and health jobs are exempted from the furloughs. Those include state police, prison guards and those who care for patients in state hospitals.
The final furlough date is May 28.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.