Layoffs could occur in January for some Tennessee State Employees

State employees could be laid off in January if the state doesn't get enough people to accept a buyout package according to Tennessee Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz.

He told reporters on Friday that about 1,800 workers have accepted the state's buyout offer.

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen said earlier this week that it's unlikely enough applications will come in before the Aug. 5 deadline to reach the goal of eliminating 2,200 jobs.

The governor has said mandatory layoffs will follow if not enough people accept the buyout package.

The executive director of the Tennessee State Employees Association has said Bredesen should make offers to state workers at or near retirement age to meet his target number.

But Goetz says he doesn't see that as an option. "It's more expensive and really doesn't work very well," he said.