AFSCME Proposes Alternative Budget & Calls for Bold Leadership in State Budget Saga

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has identified $44 billion worth of recurring revenues that can be used to balance the 2009-2010 budget and all budgets annually thereafter. These long-term solutions would obviate further cuts to the public service programs that polls show a majority of California voters support, putting California on sound financial footing by eliminating the state’s structural budget deficit. Click here to download AFSCME's alternative budget proposal. Then read more about it below. 

1121 L Street, suite 904 • Sacramento, CA 95814 • (916) 441-1570 • www.calafscme.org
	PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 28, 2009			Contact: Willie Pelote, 916-441-1570 o 916-873-6384 c

AFSCME Proposes Alternative Budget & Calls for Bold Leadership in State Budget Saga
Advances Long-Term Solutions that are Fair to all Californians

SACRAMENTO, CA—The American Federation of State & County Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has identified $44 billion worth of recurring revenues that can be used to balance the 2009-2010 budget and all budgets annually thereafter. These long-term solutions would obviate further cuts to the public service programs that polls show a majority of California voters support, putting California on sound financial footing by eliminating the state’s structural budget deficit.

The recommendations were delivered to state legislators on Wednesday and consist of a combination of measures including the imposition of an oil severance tax, an alcohol tax, the closure of existing corporate tax loopholes, an extension of a reduced sales tax to services such as entertainment and sporting events, the ending of offshore tax havens used by multinational corporations, and the restoration of high-income tax brackets to their levels under Republican Governors Reagan and Wilson.

Many of the proposals put forward by AFSCME were previously advanced by Arnold Schwarzenegger and state legislators last year but abandoned during the negotiations that produced the 2009 budget.

“This isn't a game or an academic exercise. Real lives are at stake here,” said AFSCME Assistant Political Director Willie Pelote. “The legislature has a clear choice. They can continue the failed policies of the past and destroy programs that all Californians including our children, working families, the elderly, and the disabled rely on, or they can back AFSCME’s common sense budget solutions that put the citizens of this state first. If the governor and legislature would just exercise some political leadership and listen to the voters, instead of the special interest lobbyists, California could be on course for a sustainable and equitable future for years to come.”

AFSCME has asked state legislators to indicate their support or opposition to the package of revenue solutions it has proposed.

“California families are at a breaking point,” said Doug Moore, executive director of United Domestic Workers of America (UDWA), AFSCME’s largest California affiliate. “If the legislature chickens out again and concedes to all the slash and burn cuts that Schwarzenegger is proposing, California will become just another Third World country where only the rich and politically connected are afforded a decent education and opportunities for a high quality of life.”

AFSCME is prepared to work with the legislature to identify additional solutions and is encouraging legislators to conduct town hall meetings and budget hearings at the county level in order to allow all Californians to participate in decisions that will advance the Golden State into the future.

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Update on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 2:50PM by Admin

KPFA Radio interviewed AFSCME about its proposal to balance the state budget on Monday, June 8, 2009. 

Click here to download the audio.

Special Election II Flops, Battle for the Budget Begins Anew

May 13 rally in Los Angeles against Propositions 1A, 1D, & 1EIt's official.  California voters have handed Arnold Schwarzenegger and his cadre of special interests another resounding special election defeat.  This is a victory for proponents of public services, fiscal responsibility, child care and mental health programs, and the No on 1D & 1E campaign.  Now the battle for the 2010 state budget begins.

Schwarzenegger has threatened deep cuts, but a majority of voters throughout California oppose cuts to public services such as roads, public transportation, environmental regulation, water storage, programs for the disabled, mental health programs, child care, public schools, health care, and higher education.

This, according to a field poll taken between April 16-26, 2009.

The same poll also found that voters favor cuts to the state's prison-industrial complex and would support higher taxes on the wealthy and specific industries like oil, tobacco, and alcohol.

These findings offer a working blueprint for a progressive state budget in 2010.

Click to read more ...