Innercitistorm posted on May 12, 2008 18:14
How would you like to only have to work four days a week? For some state employees it may soon be a reality. It’s part of one senator's plan to save workers some money as gas prices continue to climb even higher.
People drive to the capitol city from all over central Arkansas 5 days a week. But Senator Tracy Steele’s proposal would cut that down to 4 days for some.
One Garland County college is already doing it and workers and students seem to love it. Lisa Hopper and her husband both work at National Park Community College in Hot Springs. Their daughter goes to school there but they live in Odem, 40 miles away.
"We pay basically $400 to $500 a month in gas, so we're really appreciative of any amount we can save in not having to commute to work one day," said Lisa Hopper.
From this coming Monday through early August they'll get their wish when NPCC starts a Monday through Thursday schedule. They did it last year too for staff and students.
About a quarter of the students at National Park Community College spend a lot of time driving. That's because of the 833 students enrolled this summer; about 214 are from out of county.
State Senator Tracy Steele has the same idea for Arkansas employees. The state already allows flex scheduling for some employees but he wants to place people who live far from their jobs at the top of the priority list for going to 4 day weeks. He's taking his proposal to the legislative council committee Friday.
"This will allow our staff to spend to find out what's going on in other states, how it can be implemented fairly, what's the best way to implement it and we will report back to the legislature and the governor and try to move forward," Said Steele.
Senator Steele says some could get their schedules changed by this summer and those who have already made the switch say it's providing some much needed relief.
The change is also saving the community college about $15,000 a summer on utility bills. They may even go to a year-round 4 day schedule if prices hit $4 a gallon here.