Trust me,I work For the Government
State Employees continue to be judged in the press, no on the bottom line. When a politician wants cover, they just fire a few or a lot of State Employees regardless of the real or imagined savings.
Now back to the east coast and what is happening with Unions and State governments in New England.
In New Hampshire SEIU Local 1984 has been in discussion with Gov. John H. Lynch about the 2010-2011 budget.Gov. Lynch has proposed laying off 250-300 State employees.
SEA in N.H. and MSEA in Maine are trying to show the serious impact these proposals would have on their states.They are both trying to work with, not against the State to find savings.The State Employees in New Hampshire have committed to working with the Governor and Legislature to seek ways to reduce costs. I hope their Governor and their legislature are not also among the hearing challenged when it comes to working with State employees rather than against them.New Hampshire estimates the State deficit at $500 million to $1 billion without drastic cuts.
This is where it feels like looking in a mirror. Cut funds for the sick and needy while making some contractors rich.
New Hampshire would:
Facing reality, the Governor also proposed some revenue increases:
The N.H. Governor didn’t propose any increases to the gasoline tax or broad-based sales or income taxes, but like Governor Baldacci’s proposal to “tax only State Employees” by increasing their cost for health care the proposals place a tax burden onto select groups of public servants.Some of the N.H. and Maine’s "rainy day funds" are being used to balance the current budgets. These funds were built up in good economic times to be used to help keep us afloat in bad economic times. The State workforce is seen by some as being “built up” and a target to support the State in bad times also. Unfortunately, the Maine State workforce is at the lowest head count in over twenty five years. State Employees as usual are expected to pay a price higher than others in the name of publicity, not fiscal responsibility. All Union members share many of the same concerns:
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Comments will be moderated. Only obscenities and people's names will be removed. Please show respect to the other members. No Flames, no drivel.