QUICK TAKES - March 12, 2009

Wednesday was not a sunny day on “Sesame Street.” Jobs, not clouds, got swept away.

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization that produces the venerable children’s series, cut about 20% of its workforce because of the recession.

“After careful review, we have concluded that we will have to operate with fewer resources in order to achieve our strategic priorities,” the New York-based company said. It said 67 of 355 staff positions were eliminated.

Sesame Workshop receives income from product licensing and the sale of “Sesame Street” and other programs to the Public Broadcasting Service and overseas syndication. The company is also funded by government agencies, foundations and corporations.