WFSE Response the the Gov's Proposed Budget
Yesterday, Governor Ferguson released his proposed budgets that include roughly $800 million in reductions and program delays as well as nearly $750 million in enhancements.
There were no new revenue sources for this biennium in his proposed budgets.
Governor Ferguson Supports a Millionaires' Tax
That said, yesterday he came out in support of a Millionaire’s Tax to help build a fairer and more stable revenue system.
A tax like this would not see any revenue until at least 2029 if passed, but it would move us towards rebalancing our upside-down tax code and has our full support.
The idea has been tested and worked. In Massachusetts, despite dire warnings that high-earners and businesses would flee the state, there are now more millionaires in the state since the tax went into effect.
When everyone chips in, our communities become more livable.
Make no mistake, the governor's support for taxing the rich has everything to do with WFSE members' activism last legislative session.
During the largest budget shortfall in history we fought off the furloughs he proposed as well as increases to our healthcare costs and attacks on our right to negotiate healthcare costs.
While this year’s shortfall is smaller, it is still significant, and upcoming federal cuts will make the situation worse.
And we still don't know what the Senate and House budgets will include.
Two ways to protect our pay and our jobs
No workforce has more at stake in the decisions made by elected officials than us. The strength of our next contract depends on how much revenue we're able to bring in this legislative session. Here are two easy ways to get involved.
- Join fellow union members at your lobby day and talk directly to your representatives.
- Take just a minute to sign this petition demanding no cuts and calling on the super-rich to start paying what they owe.
Find weekly updates once session starts on January 12, and more, on our landing page here.
Watch the Governor’s recent press conferences:
What’s Next?
The WFSE Legislative and Political Action team is closely reviewing the details of the Operating, Transportation, and Capital Budget proposals to understand how they could impact our workplaces and the people who rely on public services.
We know the Governor is facing tough financial challenges and many competing priorities, but balancing budgets through cuts is not sustainable, especially when workloads and caseloads are already too high. Public services and the workers who provide them are the backbone of healthy communities and a strong economy.
Last session, the legislature took steps to prevent deeper harm by passing a revenue package that helped soften the blow of budget shortfalls. Since then, massive federal cuts and policy changes have added new harmful pressures on our state’s budgets, pressures that are likely to continue.
WFSE will keep fighting for budgets that protect public services and public workers. We will continue to stand strong for fairness, respect, and investment in the people and programs that ensure a Washington for All, Not Just the Rich.
As we review the new budget proposals, we’ll keep members updated and share ways to take action. Your union is fully engaged and ready to stand up for you, together.