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State employees rally for funding, services

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By Paul Glasser
January 29, 2010
Matt Boyer, left, and Ian Collins sing a song about the budget crisis during the state workers’ rally to keep Kentucky’s communities and families protected during the budget crunch in the Capitol Rotunda Thursday.
Photo By Kelly MackeyMatt Boyer, left, and Ian Collins sing a song about the budget crisis during the state workers’ rally to keep Kentucky’s communities and families protected during the budget crunch in the Capitol Rotunda Thursday.
State Journal/Kelly Mackey David Warrick, executive director of AFSCME council 62, speaks during the during the state workers rally to keep KentuckyÕs communities and families protected during the budget crunch in the Capitol Rotunda Thursday.
Photo By Kelly MackeyState Journal/Kelly Mackey David Warrick, executive director of AFSCME council 62, speaks during the during the state workers rally to keep KentuckyÕs communities and families protected during the budget crunch in the Capitol Rotunda Thursday.

About 100 state employees clapped along as union organizers played a song describing the current state budget crisis.

Ian Collins, 25, an organizer in training with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, played the banjo while a colleague played the guitar. The duo wrote lyrics to go with music from a traditional Appalachian folk song.

“We tried to think of something that would take the traditions of Kentucky and apply it towards what is occurring now,” Collins said. “It’s about being bold in this economic environment to solve the problems so state workers can provide services.”

AFSCME represents about 9,000 social workers and corrections officers in Kentucky. About 100 gathered at the Rotunda Thursday to lobby legislators to maintain funding for key services.

David Warrick, executive director of the Kentucky and Indiana AFSCME chapter, said priorities include funding the “Boni Bill,” better protection for whistleblowers and improved safety for front-line state workers.

The “Boni Bill” was named for Boni Frederick, a social service aid who was killed during a home visit. Legislators passed a law to hire more social workers and increase security in 2007 but didn’t provide enough funding.

Despite facing a $1.6 billion budget deficit, lawmakers have been receptive to state employees’ concerns, Warrick said. Legislation was introduced in the House Wednesday that would fully fund the “Boni Bill” proposals.

“Things are moving forward,” Warrick said. “They’re listening.”

Another issue, whistleblower protection, already exists, but Warrick said is insufficient.

In addition, correctional officers need radios and the state needs to hire more social workers, he said.

“This is the worst time to cut back,” said Dan Ball, a corrections officer at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex.

Caseloads and requests for food stamps have been increasing but staffing levels have dropped, Warrick said.

Lula Duerson, a family support specialist in Hopkinsville, said her office is operating on “a skeleton crew.”

“That means less time to interview families, gather information and verify it,” she said.

State employees should also have the power to engage in collective bargaining, he said.

State employees said they support raising revenue through tax reform, an idea being pursued in the House.

Warrick said it’s also important to open communications with front-line state workers so they can suggest ways to save money.

The Capitol was evacuated shortly before the rally was scheduled to begin because of a fire alarm. Burning food in a microwave was reportedly the cause. Warrick said it didn’t interrupt the lobbying efforts or rally.

 




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   Next 10 Comments of 11 Total Comments
11.
    Posted by dagnabit January 30, 2010
Its turned out that the Commonwealth of Kentucky is becoming the state's biggest employer. Unless new tax revenues can be generated by new business in the state, how long will it be before the state becomes insolvent?

10.
    Posted by RangerDanger January 30, 2010
Even if they did raise taxes, they'd just raise spending (without returning portions of budgets that had been cut, first) enough to offset any increase in revenue. Knowing the folks on the hill, they'd probably even figure out how to spend us deeper in debt.

9.
    Posted by Need4speed January 29, 2010
Once again, government produces nothing. It merely takes in money and provides services. Are they needed? you betcha. That being said, I have had to take reductions (read elimination) of bonuses, pay, and benefits. I also did not get pay increases last year. Since the state is also short of money they should have to do the same. You can't spend money that you do not have. As I have stated in previous rants, figure out how much revenues have decreased as a percentage and apply that reduction to state programs and agencies across the board. That way, the pain is shared equally.

CHAZ, I don't think a tax increase is a good idea. If taxes are raised, they will never go back down. When good times return (as they always do) the increased revenue will be spent instead of being banked for the future or given back to the people. Other than that, you and I are in agreement.

8.
    Posted by Vivian January 29, 2010
Tabo, no insult intended. I'm a 31 year retired state employee. I was as every day as you can get. We never talked about tax reform but the state wasn't broke, we received our 5%, and we weren't mistreated like state workers are today.

I'm proud to say I'm a former state employee.. I apologize.

7.
    Posted by moonbeamky January 29, 2010
Here's a thought, Let's vote Gatewood!

6.
    Posted by CHAZ January 29, 2010
We are broke.

When I am struggling for money, I do two things. Cut spending and take on some part-time work.

Kentucky should do the same. Cut out non-essential spending, like new construction and freeze everything else that can be frozen.

Then, and I hate to say it, pass a three year (including a sunset) sales tax increase to 7% starting 04/01/2010 and going to 03/31/2013.

The key would be to avoid any new spending. We must pay our existing obligations off.

Hopefully, the economy will be back on track in three years and we can go back to a 6% sales tax.

5.
    Posted by Tabo January 29, 2010
Vivian, don't sell "every day state workers" short. We may know more than you think.

4.
    Posted by RangerDanger January 29, 2010
This state employee is NOT a union fan and will not join a union.

(this state employee is also posting this from home, on his lunch break)

3.
    Posted by vpopera January 29, 2010
Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I don't feel that unions are appropriate for government service. With thirty some years of federal and state government service, I found there are adequate avenues for employee grievances and the benefits are generous, for the most part.

Many private sector places can fire without cause (which government cannot do), and most people who work for the public sector do it out of commitment to serving people -- not for the money or the benefits.

While I applaud the right to unions, and the right of these folks to gather and discuss such, I think they need to take a careful look at what they are proposing.

2.
    Posted by ema January 29, 2010
I'm not sure we need any more laws passed. How about funding and enforcing the ones we have? Just a thought.

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