United we stand; divided we vote.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees 2620, which represents about 5,000 state workers, is endorsing Prop 1A, the May 19 ballot measure that would temporarily raise taxes while putting a cap on state spending.
The local's endorsement runs counter to AFSCME international's opposition to 1A because of its spending limits. (Taxpayer groups oppose the measure for its higher tax provisions.) Capitol Bureau colleague Kevin Yamamura breaks down the ballot measure's opponents in this lead story in today's Bee.
AFSCME 2620, which represents state employees in the mental health, healthcare and social services fields, also supports Propositions 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F. In a press release the union called the initiative package, "... a crucial component of the state's overall budget plan, providing the framework needed to help preserve state services and guard against draconian spending cuts."
AFSCME 2620 President Nancy Swindell said, "We recognize the initiatives are far from perfect, but the alternative is far worse." You can read more of what she said in the 2620 press statement by clicking here.
Despite the local's endorsement, it looks like the measures are in trouble, according to this morning's Capitol Alert post by Dan Walters. A new poll shows that none have majority voter support.
As we've noted earlier, the outcome of the May 19 vote will probably have a direct impact on state workers.
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