SPEAK OUT! during June 23 budget Day of Action!

June 17, 2009 - Ohio’s lawmakers have some serious choices to make in the next few weeks before revealing their final budget on June 30.

Unfortunately, revenue projections have plunged in the last few months – much lower than expected – and now lawmakers have to go back to the drawing board to fix a $3.2 billion hole in the state budget.

There's three things you can do between now and June 23:

1. Make the Call to your legislators
   
   
2. Write letter / postcard to your legislators
   
   
3. Email your legislators

With the budget deadline looming, the pressure is on for legislators to come up with a compromise budget that will satisfy the House and the Senate. As they continue to meet in conference committee over the next few weeks, it’s uncertain how it will all pan out. But, what is certain is that state services are in serious jeopardy.

Agency directors have now been asked to come up with cost-cutting scenarios of 10, 20 and 30 percent cuts for their agencies as the result of lower-than-estimated tax revenues.

The Governor’s proposed budget and the Ohio House version passed in late April had few damaging funding cuts. However, the Senate’s version of the budget bill passed in late May is union members’ worst nightmare.

“Senate leaders went straight for the jugular,” said OCSEA Pres. Eddie L. Parks, referring to major language changes that are not kind to labor.

In effect, the Senate stripped every labor proposal in the House and governor’s versions of the bill, including language that would allow DR&C to take over a private prison at a major cost savings to taxpayers. Senators also put back language that would prevent workers in community correctional facilities from being able to organize and stripped Capital Square Review and Advisory Board employees of their collective bargaining rights.

“I’ve said it – and I’ll keep saying it – we’ve already given at the office,” said Parks in reference to the good faith contractual concessions OCSEA members have already made to save jobs, including unpaid days off and cuts in holidays to the tune of $250 million.

“Lawmakers need to step up to the plate and come up with some responsible new revenue sources that don’t penalize working families, but ensure safety net services remain,” said Parks.

Get involved! OCSEA leaders are extremely troubled by these developments. As a result, all OCSEA members are being urged to take action to protect public services and jobs as state legislators consider budget cuts.

OCSEA members can help in the fight to save important state services by participating in a budget “Day of Action” and by contacting their legislators on June 23.

Information on getting involved in this important day, including how to contact your legislators and talking points, can be found on the front page of this newsletter, by contacting your subordinate body president or at www.ocsea.org/June 23

See Related

Make the Call to your legislators

Write letter / postcard to your legislators

Email your legislators