AFSCME Council 5, the union representing 19,000 state employees, examined Governor Tim Pawlenty\'s budget proposal and found it wanting. In a plan announced Tuesday, Pawlenty refused to raise revenue to meet a projected deficit of $4.8 billion over the next two years. Instead, he wants to cut local government aid and life services for families hurt by the poor economy. At the same time, he will increase spending to provide tax breaks for corporations.
"While working families are losing their jobs, their homes and their health care, Governor Pawlenty wants more tax breaks for wealthy CEOs. He\'s in their boardroom, not at our kitchen table. His priorities are simply wrong and his failed economic policies have created huge deficits and no new jobs," said Eliot Seide, director of Council 5.
Seide offered the following solutions to help address the budget shortfall:
Fair Taxes
"To repair Minnesota\'s economy, we need to cut wasteful programs like JOBZ and ask the wealthy to pay their fair share of income taxes." For example, $1 billion could be raised in two years if people earning more than $250,000 paid their fair share of taxes, equal to 11.7 percent of their income, the average rate of what all Minnesota households will pay.
Share the Pain
"If the governor wants a wage freeze, then he needs to propose no layoffs. AFSCME members earn $38,000 on average. Like most Minnesotans, they\'re struggling paycheck to paycheck and they shouldn\'t have to sacrifice alone while corporate taxes are cut in half."
Don\'t Cut Local Government Aid
"Governor Pawlenty\'s budget will force cities to raise property taxes and cut parks, libraries and public safety. It\'s a disaster for local communities across the state."
Provide Health Care for the Uninsured
Pawlenty\'s plan would kick 84,000 adults off MinnesotaCare and other state-supported health insurance. "Workers who lose their jobs lose their health insurance. It\'s shameful to kick people who are already hurt by the poor economy."
Improve Government Efficiency
"Minnesota\'s public sector workforce is one of the leanest and most productive in the nation. We\'re not the problem, but we\'d like to be part of the solution. We welcome the opportunity to work with any public employer to deliver even better public services at the best price."
Cut Wasteful Spending
"Let\'s halt expensive outsourcing to prevent layoffs, and let\'s eliminate needless layers of management to focus on frontline services."
For more information
Visit the Council 5 website, www.afscmemn.org
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AFSCME Council 5, the union representing 19,000 state employees, examined Governor Tim Pawlenty\’s budget proposal and found it wanting. In a plan announced Tuesday, Pawlenty refused to raise revenue to meet a projected deficit of $4.8 billion over the next two years. Instead, he wants to cut local government aid and life services for families hurt by the poor economy. At the same time, he will increase spending to provide tax breaks for corporations.
"While working families are losing their jobs, their homes and their health care, Governor Pawlenty wants more tax breaks for wealthy CEOs. He\’s in their boardroom, not at our kitchen table. His priorities are simply wrong and his failed economic policies have created huge deficits and no new jobs," said Eliot Seide, director of Council 5.
Seide offered the following solutions to help address the budget shortfall:
Fair Taxes
"To repair Minnesota\’s economy, we need to cut wasteful programs like JOBZ and ask the wealthy to pay their fair share of income taxes." For example, $1 billion could be raised in two years if people earning more than $250,000 paid their fair share of taxes, equal to 11.7 percent of their income, the average rate of what all Minnesota households will pay.
Share the Pain
"If the governor wants a wage freeze, then he needs to propose no layoffs. AFSCME members earn $38,000 on average. Like most Minnesotans, they\’re struggling paycheck to paycheck and they shouldn\’t have to sacrifice alone while corporate taxes are cut in half."
Don\’t Cut Local Government Aid
"Governor Pawlenty\’s budget will force cities to raise property taxes and cut parks, libraries and public safety. It\’s a disaster for local communities across the state."
Provide Health Care for the Uninsured
Pawlenty\’s plan would kick 84,000 adults off MinnesotaCare and other state-supported health insurance. "Workers who lose their jobs lose their health insurance. It\’s shameful to kick people who are already hurt by the poor economy."
Improve Government Efficiency
"Minnesota\’s public sector workforce is one of the leanest and most productive in the nation. We\’re not the problem, but we\’d like to be part of the solution. We welcome the opportunity to work with any public employer to deliver even better public services at the best price."
Cut Wasteful Spending
"Let\’s halt expensive outsourcing to prevent layoffs, and let\’s eliminate needless layers of management to focus on frontline services."
For more information
Visit the Council 5 website, www.afscmemn.org