Representatives of Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) have reviewed today’s article in the Hartford Courant. While there are inaccuracies in the article, the parties will not comment on specific details since they remain committed to working out an agreement at the table rather than in the press. It is important to respect the sensitive nature of the discussions, and the democratic processes of the organizations involved.
The State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) responded to the budget proposed by legislative Democrats earlier today by emphasizing that their unions are committed to help the state rise out of the economic crisis and prepare for long-term prosperity and growth. Discussions with the Rell Administration are on-going, and SEBAC leadership is confident that an agreement can be reached that will provide significant savings to the state. (more…)
Democratic leaders of both chambers in the Connecticut General Assembly released three versions of what a balanced state budget would look like if they followed Governor Rell’s directive and addressed the economic crisis with cuts in public services alone. (more…)
Earlier today, Governor Rell was quoted saying she is “trying very hard, very hard to avoid layoffs at all costs.” Unfortunately, her office then issued a press release stating that “any meaningful cuts in Personal Services will now necessarily result in layoffs” and “cuts in higher education.” (more…)
Press reports earlier today indicate that Governor M. Jodi Rell has proposed the legislature implement a retirement incentive without the agreement of the coalition of unions representing Connecticut’s State public service workers. Union leaders responded, saying the governor should continue meeting with the coalition to craft comprehensive solutions that will preserve public services and avoid worsening the economy, rather than engage in unilateral piecemeal moves that will only put vital services at greater risk. (more…)
The State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) responded to Governor Rell’s budget address today, saying that, as a ship of state, Connecticut continues to take on water because of the sinking economy. The people of Connecticut needed a life preserver and instead Governor Rell threw them an anchor. (more…)
The coalition of Connecticut’s public service unions responded to the Governor’s televised address saying that cutting public services during an economic downturn will only further hurt the middle class and continue the downward economic spiral in Connecticut. (more…)
CONTACT:
Larry Dorman, (860) 989-9127 (cell)
Matt O’Connor (860) 221-5696 (cell)
Eric Bailey, (860) 997-2717 (cell)
The State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) has launched a television and radio campaign that will highlight the important services that Connecticut public workers provide for all state residents.
Both television and radio ads highlight actual public workers from across Connecticut and include state troopers, a nurse, road crew members, a nursing home worker, and a teacher. The radio ad includes portions of interviews with the public service workers, using their own words to describe their jobs and the people they serve.
“These ads are designed to raise awareness of the vital services that our public workers provide,” says Margaret Dempsey, a head nurse with the Department of Development Services. “During the ongoing budget discussions, there have been some elected leaders who have advocated cutting public services to help address the budget deficit. We want to make sure that everyone understands the importance of the services that are on the table.”
Late last week, SEBAC released a poll showing that broad majorities of voters say that cutting services like health care, education, and road maintenance during a time of recession will further damage the economy and that job layoffs, whether in the public or the private sector, will do the same. The ads emphasize these points, and encourage lawmakers to rebuild and reinvest in the state.
“Our public employees want to be part of the solution to this unprecedented economic crisis,” said Bill Boucher, a special agent with the Department of Consumer Protection. “But we need to make sure that we don’t endanger the people who will need these public services more than ever as this crisis takes hold.”
The television ads began airing on Connecticut’s major networks and cable stations on Sunday. Radio ads began airing on several of the stations with the largest listening audiences in Connecticut yesterday, as well.
Dempsey and Boucher are members of two of the unions in SEBAC, which serves to unite approximately 50,000 Connecticut State public service workers to address issues of common concern. To learn more about the coalition’s campaign for a fair budget and a livable state with great public services, visit www.InThisTogetherCT.org.
New Campaign to Release ‘Better Choices’ Plan
Campaign to kick off in support of plan to protect public services and quality of life, and to generate revenue and rebalance CT’s tax structure.
ADVISORY: Monday February 2nd 1:30 PM, LOB Room 1A For more information, contact:
Maggie Adair at (860) 878-8936or madair@cahs.org Michael Sullivan at (203) 843-3864 or msullivan@ctkidslink.org
Who: Members of a new campaign composed of non-profit providers, human service agencies, public service workers, municipal representatives, community organizations and progressive groups who are united in a vision that values our state’s public services and support a budget that will allow Connecticut to retain its high quality of life.
What: The campaign will hold a press conference to introduce the “Better Choices” revenue proposals and release a white paper detailing the plans. Speakers will include economic policy experts, struggling middle class families and human service providers.
Where: Legislative Office Building, Room 1A
When: Monday February 2nd, 1:30 PM.
Background:
While Governor Rell has promised that her upcoming biennial budget will include deep cuts affecting every agency of the Connecticut government, Better Choices For Connecticut believes that reliance on spending cuts is both unwise and unnecessary. Slashing public services in the midst of this recession places the Connecticut economy in grave danger. With smarter choices, Connecticut has the capacity to protect our schools, our transit, our infrastructure, our social services, and our public safety agencies.
The coalition will release a white paper proposing a multi-part revenue package that would balance the budget without cutting our state’s vital services.
Better Choices for Connecticut is a community coalition working to help Connecticut make better choices on ways to improve the state’s imbalanced revenue system so that it advances opportunity for shared prosperity for all Connecticut residents; preserves services for children, families and the elderly; creates and sustains good jobs; and reinvests in the middle class and our communities.
A newly released poll shows that broad majorities of Connecticut voters say that cutting services like health care, education, and road maintenance during a time of recession will further damage the economy and that job layoffs, whether in the public sector or the private sector, will do the same. (more…)
The economy is tougher than it's ever been. Cutting vital public services like education, healthcare and public safety will only leave families suffering more.
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