The size of the public work force jumped in Maryland last year, even as Virginia and most state and local jurisdictions slashed government jobs, according to census figures released Tuesday.
Although Maryland’s state government shed more than 1,220 full-time jobs, local jurisdictions and municipalities added almost 1,930 jobs thanks to a surge in education positions. Between state and local governments, Maryland added more than 700 full-time jobs to its government payrolls.
In comparison, state and local governments in Virginia cut nearly 7,420 full-time jobs in 2010 — a drop of nearly 2 percent from the year before.
| Government jobs: Md. vs. Va. | ||||
| 2009 | 2010 | |||
| Maryland state jobs | 81,483 | 80,260 | ||
| Maryland local jobs | 187,692 | 189,620 | ||
| Virginia state jobs | 108,466 | 105,968 | ||
| Virginia local jobs | 297,298 | 292,379 | ||
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau | ||||
Some observers say the divergent directions of government work forces could damage Maryland’s standing with its economic rival across the Potomac.
“[Growing government] is not a sustainable way to grow the economy,” said Jim Pettit of the Maryland Business for Responsive Government. “It increases the pressure to raise taxes, which further puts us at a competitive disadvantage with our neighbor Virginia.”
The jump in Maryland public-sector jobs is tied primarily to an increase in education positions within local jurisdictions, a common occurrence in Maryland as counties are required under state law to spend the same amount per student even if enrollment increases. Such education positions increased by more than 900 last year, census figures show.
Facing a $1.2 billion shortfall next fiscal year, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said he expects lawmakers to implement tax increases when the General Assembly reconvenes for a special session in October or in January — a year after raising the state’s alcohol tax and a variety of consumer fees.
Virginia’s unemployment rate stands at 6.1 percent compared with 7.2 percent in Maryland.
“We’ve reduced state spending to 2006 levels and closed historic budget shortfalls of $6 billion without raising taxes,” said Tucker Martin, a spokesman for Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. “The governor put in place an ongoing hiring freeze and is continuing his efforts to reform government to make it smaller and more efficient.”
The census figures show that local and state governments nationwide eliminated more than 200,000 full-time jobs last year, a development cheered by conservatives but a shift that liberal lawmakers fear could lead to a double-dip recession.
From 2009 to 2010 Texas recorded the biggest percentage increase in state workers — 5.9 percent — while Connecticut, Idaho and Rhode Island each shed roughly 5 percent of their state government work forces, according to census figures.
