Members defend their turf in

By SHERRY HALBROOK

As state political leaders wrangle

over various plans to close the state’s 2010-11 budget deficit, PEF members have been sending a powerful and consistent budget message on many fronts. In late February and in March,

PEF members delivered that message to state legislators in person and in writing, while the union barraged the governor, lawmakers and the public with a multi-media ad campaign. And PEF Region 8 activists turned out March 9 for the Better Choice budget rally and march

in Albany held by a coalition of concerned unions and community groups. “Various competing budget

schemes are being put forward at the

Capitol, but until one of those proposals becomes dominant we must focus on the basics of preserving and protecting the state work force and the public services it provides,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “We are closely monitoring all of the proposals and examining how they might affect our members and state services. We are ready to focus on any credible new threats if they arise. Meanwhile, we are rebutting the myths about state employees and services and giving our political leaders and the public the facts.” PEF’s army of political action

liaisons (PALs) throughout the state met with their state Assembly members and senators in their district offices to discuss the governor’s Executive Budget proposal and how it will affect the lawmakers’

MOBILIZED—Region 6members fromAnnsville andTaberg juvenile facilities plan their defense against the proposed closure ofAnnsville.

—Photos Lisa Pulver

LAYING IT OUT—PEF Region 7 CoordinatorTomDonahue, flanked by PEF Trustees Gail Noble and Olubiyi Sehindemi, explains to a staffer of the Senate Corrections Committee why Ogdensburg CF should stay open.

—Photo by Richard Dillard

Page 4—The Communicator April 2010 PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445

MAKE BETTER CHOICES—PEF Region 8 activists (above) take part in a coalition budget rally at the Capitol in March.

—Photo by Deborah A.Miles

COMMUNITY CAUSE—Union coalition members rally in support of Ogdensburg CF, while PEFVP Joe Fox (below) addresses the crowd.

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