Trenton Mayor Scraps Plans To Furlough 600 Workers

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey's capital city has scrapped plans to furlough 600 workers following objections from state environmental officials and a Superior Court judge.

Trenton Mayor Tony Mack announced earlier this month that the workers would have to take 13 unpaid days off between April and June.

The proposal -- part of Mack's plan to close an $18.5 million budget gap -- would have forced city hall, the municipal court and other offices to close on furlough days.

But the mayor scuttled that plan Friday.

The decision came after the Department of Environmental Protection said water filtration plants like Trenton's must have a full-time licensed operator and have licensed staff present at all times.

And Mercer County Assignment Judge Linda Feinberg said the city needed her permission to alter its court hours.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)