Some cuts blocked, others approved

AFSCME lobbying efforts helped to defeat budget amendments to lower the mileage reimbursement rate for state workers and raise health insurance costs for state and university retirees.  But the General Assembly has now approved a budget package that includes massive cuts to a wide array of vital services.

AFSCME lobbying efforts were key in convincing a House committee to vote down an amendment introduced by Rep. Karen May to drastically increase state and university retiree health care costs.  Her fellow legislators rejected May’s contention that retirees should have to “feel the pain.”  AFSCME was also successful in beating back an amendment from Rep. Naomi Jakobbson that would have reduced the mileage reimbursement rate for state workers.

But the House of Representatives went on to adopt a budget plan that relies heavily on borrowing, underfunds virtually every responsibility of state government, and relies heavily on borrowing—further jeopardizing our state’s fiscal stability.  The Senate concurred, allowing legislators to meet their end-of-May deadline and head home without ever really grappling with the state’s severe fiscal crisis.