BUDGET TRAINING - DAY 2  
AFSCME budget expert details federal impact on Ohio; Union messaging explored

March 9, 2007 - The morning of day 2 of OCSEA's budget training included presentations from Mark Murphy, Fiscal Policy Analyst for AFSCME, and Peter Wray, OCSEA Communications Director.

Mark Murphy talked about proposed federal budget cuts and the impact they could have on Ohio and, particularly, state services.

Federal funding makes nearly one-third of Ohio’s budget. President Bush has proposed a fiscal year 2008 budget that makes deep cuts in federal grants to Ohio that would severely impact many OCSEA members.

“President Bush’s budget has something for almost everyone,” said Murphy as he detailed some of the worse proposed budget cuts.

Some of the proposed cuts Murphy detailed could impact state agencies like ODJFS, DR&C, and MR/DD, just to name a few.

> Day 2 Photo Gallery - Leaders broke up into small groups for discussion and strategy sessions.

He continued on to say that it is very unlikely that deficits problems will get any better, particularly if tax breaks that benefit the country’s top 1 percent continue. Murphy said Ohio is hardly well-positioned to absorb federal funding cuts thanks to a poor economy, dwindling revenues, and a new Ohio law that limits state spending.

Murphy recommended that union leaders become familiar with the federal funding coming into their agencies and share their knowledge with the union.

He also encouraged members to contact their legislators and educate them on the importance of federal funding to the vital services they provide.

See Related

State Budget Resources

Legislator Lookup - email your legislator

Training Day 1 - Tax Commissioner Rich Levin addressed OCSEA leaders

Training Day 1 - OBM Director Pari Sabety: Money savings explored

Training Day 1 - Senior Policy Analyst, John Corlett describes budget process

Training Day 1 - Rep. Scott Oelslager talks to leaders about talking to legislators

Photo Gallery - Check out photos of speakers and leaders