Speak up now or it may be too late


By SHERRY HALBROOK Across the state, PEF members are beginning to come forward


and challenge the attacks on them and other public employees throughout the country. PEF encourages its members to do everything they can to


help correct misinformation and mistaken assumptions about state employees and state services, and to challenge the budget proposals that would undermine jobs and services. “Members have many opportunities to speak out,” said PEF


President Ken Brynien. “We can comment on news stories via blogs and on websites. We can call in to radio talk shows, and write letters to public officials and to the newspapers and media. We must also take time to correct comments we hear from family or friends who have been misinformed or who don’t understand how state budget cuts could hurt them and their communities.” Here is a letter from a Region 8 member that was published by the Times Union in Albany January 31.


Cuts detrimental to NY economy I don't understand the governorʼs talk of laying off state


workers. New York unemployment is at historic highs, but cutting the


work force would increase it, putting more people on unemployment benefits. State workers are also customers of local businesses, but they


will spend less if they lose their jobs, and donate less to local charities. Surely, that is bad for business and the local communities. State workers also pay federal, state and local taxes. If they are


laid off, their incomes drop and they pay less in taxes, cutting revenues to state and local governments. If they can't find other work, they would move, put their houses


on the market and lower house values for everyone. In these very bad economic times, many people need public


assistance. Cutting the state work force, and denying people income would surely lead to the need for more public assistance. I don't think the state and local governments want that. The state work force is at its lowest level in 20 years, dropping


from 286,000 in 1990 to 250,000 in October 2010. Every time we lose state workers, there are fewer people to


inspect and repair the roads, inspect restaurants and supermarkets, and help us at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Every time the state work force is cut, more services have to be cut. I don't understand how all


this will help New York. Gene Shackman Albany


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                                     


Page 2—The Communicator March 2011


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PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


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