Of course the CSEA union stands behind their workers and it's understandable that there would be a lot of misery if their jobs were cut.

Certainly most of us are well aware that the slump in the nation's economy has forced significant layoffs of jobs throughout the private sector and that thousands of families have been hurt by it.

However, it's been increasingly apparent that it needs to be done in areas of the government also since taxpayers can no longer afford the growth of the state's workforce.

The editor's “view” about the “bloated state workforce” is absolutely true and nowhere is that more evident than in the field of corrections.

When Senator Nozzolio came into office in the mid-80s, he recognized the dire need for more jobs in his district and as the chairman of the state Senate Corrections Committee, he created thousands of them.

For decades the ratio was between 15/25 inmates to one guard. He increased it to a ratio of two inmates for every guard.

He also replaced hundreds of jobs (i.e. teacher, lab technician, x-ray technician, etc.) once done by inmates who were only paid pennies an hour and gave the jobs to highly paid civilians.

Since the prison system worked successfully before - as evidenced by the “findings” of Auburn's own Thomas Mott Osborne - it's obvious that the situation can return to what it once was.

The obvious savings would be in the millions of dollars.

And, since Senator Nozzolio has never had anyone ever run against him till now, be assured that his opponent, Paloma Cappana, will work to return the prison budget to what is reasonable and fair.

Joyce Hackett Smith-Moore