text: True and he ignores the fact that you don't have to lay people off to reduce numbers. What the state has been doing is not filling positions as people retire or bail for a better job. People are now doing the work of 2 or 3 people. Numbers have most definitely gone down. The Troopers feel lucky to keep a trooper 5 years now. Thanks to the new 401K type retirement they are leaving as soon as they are vested and they move down to the lower 48 where departments still have far better retirement plans and benefits.