The governor and legislative leaders have been meeting for the past three weeks to negotiate a plan for closing significant state budget deficits in the coming years. Their proposals so far rely too heavily upon the sacrifices of working people and threaten Connecticut's quality of life by cutting vital public services.
As union leaders, we see this as a simple choice; do we want to invest in kids, public safety, healthcare and other vital components of our economy? The alternative is to continue protecting corporate CEOs, handing over taxpayer dollars to hedge fund managers and letting the ultra-rich get away without paying their fair share.
Proposed cuts to funding for local and technical schools, colleges and universities, worker training, court support resources and public health services will hurt now and cause long-term pain. They would also shift burdens onto local communities, causing property taxes to rise.
And, on top of it all, Republican lawmakers are threatening to take away state employees' collective bargaining rights.
Join us in demanding a state budget that works for all of us — our families, children, students, patients, seniors and those who depend on us. With a legislative special session expected in the coming days, we must act now to make sure Connecticut's elected leaders hear us, loud and clear.
More to come, and in solidarity,
Ed Leavy
Secretary-Treasurer, AFT Connecticut
Jean Morningstar
First Vice President, AFT Connecticut
John Brady, RN
Executive Vice President, AFT Connecticut
Jan Hochadel
President, AFT Connecticut
President, AFT Connecticut