OCSEA petition drive urges Congress to deliver fiscal aid, economic recovery package

Jan. 26, 2009 (updated Feb. 2, 2009) - Local union leaders this week are reaching out to union members in the workplace and encouraging them to sign an OCSEA petition that will help protect Ohio jobs and public services.

Want to help? Download, sign, and circulate the union's petition urging Congress to deliver on federal fiscal relief for Ohio. 

"Your PEOPLE contributions are at work here, but we need to do more," OCSEA Pres. Eddie L. Parks wrote in a letter sent today to all subordinate body presidents, the OCSEA Board of Directors, and the OCSEA Negotiating Team.

OCSEA is fighting hard for fiscal aid for state and local governments because a significant portion would go for a raise in the federal match for state Medicaid spendingand would then free up state dollars to fund non-Medicaid-dependent agencies.

"For these reasons we are asking that OCSEA members and their families sign the enclosed petitions that we will send to Senator George Voinovich," Parks wrote. "Signing this petition asking for support for an economic stimulus package is the single biggest action we can take to address the problems we face at the bargaining table and to preserve public services."

Return petitions to OCSEA by Wed., Feb. 4, to assure they are forwarded in a timely manner.

Want others to join the petition drive? Tell them what's at stake.

1. The state financial crisis has reached historic proportions, with Ohio facing a $7.3 billion budget hole over the next biennium. Gov. Ted Strickland has already warned that this could mean a 25 percent cut in state operations.
   
   
2. Ohio’s jobless rate and the overall economic slowdown have caused state revenues to decline by record proportions. Forty-one states also face shortfalls this year, totaling $91 billion.
   
   
   
3. The governor has already cut Ohio’s budget by $1.4 billion and cut the state payroll by 3,000 fewer state employees since this time last year.

See Related

Call Sen. Voinovich 1-888-460-0813 to urge Yes vote on American Recovery and Investment Act

Fax hand-written letter by Feb. 6 to Sen. Voinovich to a YES vote for economic stimulus, federal aid

PEOPLE program

AFSCME Legislative Report - Jan. 23, 2009 Report

AFSCME Legislative Report - Jan. 16, 2009