OCSEA members impact stimulus bill with legislative action on restoring state aid
Congress over weekend passed bill to president's desk for signature on Monday; Ohio gets some relief, but not out of red

Feb. 17, 2009 (updated Feb. 18) - Pres. Barack Obama this week signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a federal stimulus package designed to create and save jobs to jumpstart the economy.

The final version of the bill was approved on Friday, Feb. 13, by members of the U.S. House and by members of the U.S. Senate on Saturday, Feb. 14.

OCSEA President Eddie Parks shared with union members in a letter on Friday (see website) that Ohio's fight for fiscal relief has been difficult and somewhat disappointing, but not futile.

"OCSEA, in partnership with AFSCME International, marshaled all of our available resources to help move forward an economic stimulus package to keep states and local governments from bleeding jobs and losing vital services," Parks noted. "With your help, this week, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate came to an agreement on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will provide critical services to the State of Ohio."

In fact, Parks is thanking OCSEA members who made the difference in getting some state aid restored in the final version. In recent weeks, thousands of union activists signed petitions, made countless phone calls, and sent hundreds of letters and emails to members of Congress. Parks also noted that OCSEA members' PEOPLE dollars were hard a work and made a positive impact on the final outcome of the economic stimulus bill.

OCSEA members make their voices heard in the Statehouse and on Capitol Hill on issues like state budget cuts and employment services funding by joining PEOPLE, Public Employees Organized for Political and Legislative Equality. PEOPLE is AFSCME's political action committee and uses voluntary contributions (no union dues) to promote issues and candidates that benefit public employee union members and their families.

AFSCME International Pres. Gerald W. McEntee released the following press statement in response to the Senate passage of the bill on Friday: "More than a year ago, AFSCME called for a plan to create jobs and give aid to state and local governments. Now, thanks to the bold leadership of President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress, help is on the way.  Passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a major, historic victory for the American people. President Obama and the Democratic majority in Congress are delivering the change we voted for in November. Our members are proud to have played a big role in mobilizing at the grassroots level to get this bill passed. We have taken the first step in putting our country and our economy back on track.”

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