Labor leaders are recommending that Montgomery County (web|news) ration toilet paper for inmates to help save costs.

The request comes as council members try to resolve a $297 million budget deficit.

The president of the union that represents Montgomery County government employees has given council members an eight-page memo of recommended budget cuts suggested by some of the workers.

The recommendations include limiting inmates to two or three rolls of toilet paper a week. Union officials say inmates often deliberately clog toilets to cause problems at detention centers, wasting taxpayer money on both the toilet paper and the cost of fixing toilets.

The director of Montgomery County's department of corrections says he doesn't find the use of toilet paper excessive. Art Wallenstein said the plan could save the county several thousand dollars, but would pay for it in other ways, in the longrun. "You'd pay for it in unrest, disturbance, possible violence directed towards staff and possible public health problems."

Other ideas including eliminating county positions and cutting hours at public libraries.

Many Montgomery County residents said the union may want to think again. "That's a necessity. You know what I'm saying? That's a necessity," said Lilly Thompson.

County leaders said they will consider the idea, along with hundreds of others. They will make their final decision by the end of May.

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