The state told its 37,000 unionized employees that they will not have to take four furlough days this year. The payless days were ordered last year as a money saving measure after the state was unable to negotiate concessions with its union workers..

However, an improving economy and higher-than-anticipated budget surplus means the state won't need that saving.

The state has a 2011 surplus of $457 million dollars and a projected growth of $622 million dollars over the next two years. The state would have saved $9.5 million had it implemented the 4 furlough days.

The governor is scheduled to layout his entire budget Thursday before state lawmakers.