The State Budget:
It's Time to Focus on Feeding
The Revenue Stream
(5/27/09)

    Economic gloom continues to consume policy shapers’ thoughts and lawmakers’ time. It’s certainly doing a number on the general public’s confidence. The good news? There are people in high places who get it. Particularly at the state level.

    It began with Gov. Jim Doyle’s 2009-2011 budget proposal, which provided some potential pain for public employees but also some relief, as reported in the February issue of AFSCME 48. Then there’s the new-look Legislature, where working family friendly lawmakers –– many of whom you helped elect –– now rule. They get it, too. Then there’s all the work you’ve been doing, from participating in events like Lobby Day 2009 to living your increasingly activism-oriented lives. It’s all helped put working family issues front and center.

    “The great thing is that we have complete access to the people who are in charge of reviewing the budget legislation,” says AFSCME lobbyist Susan McMurray. “The access is incredible, and it’s a two-way street. We’ve never experienced this before.”

    Not that it’s all hunky dory. Far from it. The budget deficit is scary and getting scarier by the minute. In early May, Gov. Doyle announced that the state’s budget deficit –– originally pegged at $5.9 billion — has increased by as much as $1.6 billion, due to the declining economy and rapidly falling income tax collections. Shortly thereafter, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau came out with a slightly higher number.

    Meanwhile, the governor said he’d be invoking the state’s authority to implement furloughs of up to eight days per year as allowed under the current state contract. Other cuts also would be considered, he added.

    As of late May, the budget ball was in the Joint Committee on Finance’s (JFC) court.

    For the rest of the story ...

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Recent News & Notes

    Direct Talk from District Council 48 Executive Director Rich Abelson: ‘Hybrid’ Income Maintenance model puts us back on the quality services track (5/09)

    A 'hybrid' solution: State seeks control of Milwaukee County’s Income Maintenance Program (3/09)

    The State of the State: Rethinking Revenue at Recession Time (12/08)

    In his own words: AFSCME President Gerald McEntee on the 2008 election (11/08)

    Read (and participate in) The Greenline, AFSCME International's Weblog (i.e., "blog")

Breaking County News:
Arbitrator Rejects Walker’s
35-Hour Workweek Plan,
Tells County to ‘Cease and Desist’
(6/29/09)

    Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s proposed 35-hour workweek violates the County’s contract with your Union, an arbitrator ruled this morning.

    “I find that the County’s reduction in hours for certain bargaining unit employees from 40 hours a week to 35 hours a week violates Section 1.05 of the collective bargaining agreement,” Arbitrator Amedeo Greco wrote in a June 29 email to AFSCME and Milwaukee County officials.

    To rectify the contractual violation, the County must “immediately cease and desist from reducing the hours of those employees and it shall immediately restore all affected bargaining unit employees to their former 40-hour work weeks,” Greco wrote, adding that the County also “shall make whole all such adversely affected employees.”

    Greco will spell out the details in his full written decision, which will be issued July 1.

    “We are very happy with the arbitrator’s decision,” says AFSCME District Council 48 Executive Director Richard Abelson.

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Walker’s Proposed Layoffs,
35-Hour Workweek
May Not Be Necessary,
County Board Says
(6/16/09)

    Yesterday, Milwaukee County Supervisor Elizabeth M. Coggs, County Board Chairman Lee Holloway and a number of other supervisors held a news conference to release new estimates showing that Milwaukee County is on pace to avoid a large shortfall for 2009.

    “These revised estimates show that Milwaukee County’s deficit is now projected at approximately $650,000, down from the administration’s estimates of nearly $15 million,” said Coggs.

    Added Holloway: “It is disappointing that we are not getting accurate information from the County Executive’s staff and department heads. I am calling on all of the administration’s staff to take politics out of the equation, and provide the board with the best, most accurate data possible, so we can make the best decisions on behalf of county residents.”

    Land sales are helping to offset earlier budget projections, the supervisors said.

    “Earlier this year, the County Board approved the sale of County Grounds land to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and we have an opportunity to use some of those proceeds in 2009” said Supervisor Jim “Luigi” Schmitt, whose district includes the County Grounds.

    Added Supervisor Peggy A. West: “If this transaction can be closed by March 1, 2010, $5 million can be booked for 2009, which can help address our shortfall immensely.”

    Said Supervisor Willie Johnson Jr.: “The revised projections include $500,000 in savings expected from the Combined Court related operations. These savings are being identified in lieu of a 35-hour workweek for employees.”

    In the meantime, the supervisors also expressed a desire – and need – to keep politics out of these vitally significant discussions. “We must do everything we can to promote good government in Milwaukee County,” said Supervisor Gerry Broderick.