At a news conference Friday, Minnesota organizations called on Congress to turn away from the failed economic policies of the past and support important investments in America’s future that will strengthen the economy and expand opportunities for all.
Congressman Keith Ellison, representing Minnesota’s 5th District, was on hand to officially open the campaign supporting the president’s budget plan and pledged his unwavering support.
“This is the worst economic crisis in many generations, not just this one,” said Congressman Ellison. “Our president also inherited the largest deficit in our history,” he added.
“President Obama has shown courage and sound judgment in pressing for quality, affordable health care now,” says Eliot Seide, director of AFSCME Council 5, a union of 43,000 public and non-profit workers in Minnesota. “We can’t fix our economic crisis without reining in skyrocketing health care costs. It’s putting an unbearable strain on families, businesses and government. How can General Motors compete when it’s paying more for health care than steel?”
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| AFSCME Council 5 Director Eliot Seide addresses a news conference of organizations supporting President Obama\'s budget. Among those participating was Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak (second from left) and Congressman Keith Ellison (right). |
AFSCME Council 5, as well as TakeAction Minnesota, are members of Minnesota’s Make Health Happen coalition as well as partners in the national Health Care for America NOW (HCAN) health reform movement, which would offer the choice of a private and public health insurance coverage option.
"President Obama has in two short months set America in a new direction when it comes to stopping global warming and transitioning to a clean energy economy. We strongly support passing the president’s budget as a step toward solving global warming and investing in the transition to a clean energy economy,” said Samantha Chadwick of Environment MN.
Donald McFarland from USAction added: “While President Obama inherited the nation’s worst economic crisis in generations, and the largest deficit in history, his budget resets America’s priorities to rebuild and renew America for the challenges we face now and in the future. From returning fairness to our tax code, to taking control of the federal deficit, to making significant down payments on health care reform, an energy policy to reverse global climate change, and education, President Obama’s budget is the blueprint for transformational change which Americans voted for in November.”
Mayor R.T. Rybak called on Minnesotans to urge their representatives in Congress to support the president’s budget, adding, “It’s time for us to get off the couch!” The mayor also said, “We voted for change in November and President Obama is following through for us.”
More than 40 leading progressive organizations and unions – many of which that which led the fight to pass President Obama’s jobs and economic recovery package – have so far signed onto the $5-7 million national campaign to “Rebuild and Renew America Now.” The organizations plan grass roots efforts including phone and e-mail campaigns and the use of paid advertising to promote passage of the budget.
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At a news conference Friday, Minnesota organizations called on Congress to turn away from the failed economic policies of the past and support important investments in America’s future that will strengthen the economy and expand opportunities for all.
Congressman Keith Ellison, representing Minnesota’s 5th District, was on hand to officially open the campaign supporting the president’s budget plan and pledged his unwavering support.
“This is the worst economic crisis in many generations, not just this one,” said Congressman Ellison. “Our president also inherited the largest deficit in our history,” he added.
“President Obama has shown courage and sound judgment in pressing for quality, affordable health care now,” says Eliot Seide, director of AFSCME Council 5, a union of 43,000 public and non-profit workers in Minnesota. “We can’t fix our economic crisis without reining in skyrocketing health care costs. It’s putting an unbearable strain on families, businesses and government. How can General Motors compete when it’s paying more for health care than steel?”
|
| AFSCME Council 5 Director Eliot Seide addresses a news conference of organizations supporting President Obama\’s budget. Among those participating was Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak (second from left) and Congressman Keith Ellison (right). |
AFSCME Council 5, as well as TakeAction Minnesota, are members of Minnesota’s Make Health Happen coalition as well as partners in the national Health Care for America NOW (HCAN) health reform movement, which would offer the choice of a private and public health insurance coverage option.
"President Obama has in two short months set America in a new direction when it comes to stopping global warming and transitioning to a clean energy economy. We strongly support passing the president’s budget as a step toward solving global warming and investing in the transition to a clean energy economy,” said Samantha Chadwick of Environment MN.
Donald McFarland from USAction added: “While President Obama inherited the nation’s worst economic crisis in generations, and the largest deficit in history, his budget resets America’s priorities to rebuild and renew America for the challenges we face now and in the future. From returning fairness to our tax code, to taking control of the federal deficit, to making significant down payments on health care reform, an energy policy to reverse global climate change, and education, President Obama’s budget is the blueprint for transformational change which Americans voted for in November.”
Mayor R.T. Rybak called on Minnesotans to urge their representatives in Congress to support the president’s budget, adding, “It’s time for us to get off the couch!” The mayor also said, “We voted for change in November and President Obama is following through for us.”
More than 40 leading progressive organizations and unions – many of which that which led the fight to pass President Obama’s jobs and economic recovery package – have so far signed onto the $5-7 million national campaign to “Rebuild and Renew America Now.” The organizations plan grass roots efforts including phone and e-mail campaigns and the use of paid advertising to promote passage of the budget.