Some of Georgia’s state lawmakers are joining the ranks of business and local government workers being furloughed due to budget shortages.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said Thursday that he and all state Senators will begin furloughs starting Aug. 1. The lieutenant governor and senators will be furloughed for one day of their monthly pay period through the end of 2009.

"With the Senate being forced to make difficult state budget cuts and place financial burdens on our hard-working state employees and their families, we realize that all of us are in this dismal economic situation together and no single person is immune from feeling the effects of continued revenue shortfalls," Cagle said. "As elected leaders we are called upon to lead by example for the greater good of our state and I am certain the commitment the Senate has shown to fiscally responsible policy will help lead us through these tough economic times to future growth and prosperity."

At the beginning of the 2010 legislative session, the Senate will address whether furloughs will continue for the remainder of the fiscal year. Members of the state House of Representatives will also be taking monthly furloughs.

"The Speaker (of the House Glenn Richardson) and I have consulted each other on legislative furloughs and are both committed to doing all we can to see our economy gets back on track," Cagle said.

Hall County government employees take one unpaid furlough day each month, usually scheduled around a holiday. Several state agencies and some school systems across the state also have instituted unpaid furlough days.