Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson lays off 321 city workers

Cleveland will lay off 321 city workers — including 275 full-time employees — as Mayor Frank Jackson attempts to deal with $35.7 million in expected cutbacks in state aid.

The cuts, effective June 1, include 81 police officers and 42 police cadets scheduled to graduate in a few weeks. Also on the list are 51 firefighters. The layoffs will amount to more than 6 percent of the 5,400 employees paid out of the city’s operating budget.

At a news conference at City Hall this morning, Jackson blamed state leaders for the layoffs, accusing them of shifting their budget problems to cities. He also ruled out asking city voters to increase the 2 percent payroll tax, saying it would hinder development.

From: Cleve Land