We Now Have Reason to Hope

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.afscmeblog.org/2009/02/13/we-now-have-reason-to-hope/?__utma=1.447959904738676160.1234661052.1234661052.1234661052.1&__utmb=1.3.10.1234661052&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1234661052.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(direct)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=-&__utmk=77440789

February 13th, 2009

This entry by AFSCME President Gerald McEntee is cross-posted from The Huffington Post and Oxdown Gazette.

America is losing 20,000 jobs a day. Unemployment just hit 7.6% and states are looking at shortfalls this fiscal year that amount to 14% of their total budgets. Current projections for the next fiscal year are deficits that total 17% of budgets. And fiscal year 2011 is shaping up to be just as bad. That is why AFSCME made an economic recovery bill the top legislative priority in our "Make America Happen" campaign - our effort to win long term investment in public services, reform health care and strengthen the middle class through the Employee Free Choice Act.

AFSCME members are on the front lines as millions of our neighbors struggle to stay afloat. More than a year ago, AFSCME sounded the alarm and called for assistance for state and local governments. Now thanks to the bold leadership of President Barack Obama and the Democratic leaders in Congress, help is on the way. The historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go a long way toward helping states, counties and cities provide the vital services that the public relies on in times of crisis.

The plan has more than $200 billion for state and local governments. Key parts of this aid include:

* An $87 billion increase in the federal contribution for Medicaid programs, money that will immediately relieve pressures on state governments and free up resources for other purposes;
* $80 billion in new education funding to help states and local governments;
* $150 billion for improvements to transportation facilities, roads and bridges, public transit systems, clean water, flood control, school construction and energy efficiency;
* $9 billion to the States Fiscal Stabilization Fund for flexible grants for critical public services.

FULL story at link.