Day-after-Thanksgiving declared state holiday

The day after Thanksgiving once again will be a state holiday, Gov. Jay Nixon said Friday.

He issued an executive order closing state offices on Nov. 27.

But, he noted, public safety and other essential services and facilities will continue their normal operations.

Although Thanksgiving is designated a holiday by state law, the Friday after Thanksgiving is a holiday only when the governor declares it to be one.

That has been the long-standing state tradition, but several times in recent years - most recently in 2010 and 2011 - the day was kept as a regular work day because the state's budget couldn't afford the overtime costs for those who still must work.

Last year, the state Budget and Planning office said officials estimated the total cost of having the extra day off as about $1.6 million, with around $900,000 of that coming from general revenues.

That cost includes overtime pay for law enforcement, corrections officers, mental health workers and others who must work.

They offered no different numbers Friday.