Special notice: Y'all have been doing a great job of getting the word out! If you use state email, though, please follow two rules: first, only email to bargaining unit members. If you want a friend who is not in the bargaining unit to know what's going on, get their home email address.
Second, if you're going to do a blast email, please email to
sandra.perez@state.nm.us first. The state email system isn't equipped to handle too many blasts at once. They're OK with sending out our updates, but please just follow these two rules.
Budget/layoffs/furloughs
We're hearing more and more bad news about revenue projections. Word is that June's numbers for FY '10 are going to be down at least $200 million more than current projections. We're pushing hard every day for revenue alternatives, and even traditional tax opponents are starting to realize that something will need to be done, sooner or later.
Keep putting in calls to Senate Finance as described in the last update, which is below.
Child care organizing
We need your calls on SB 402 (Cisneros). It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday on an 8-2 vote, with all six present Dems voting for it and Republicans Sander Rue and Clinton Harden joining us. It was a hard grilling for over an hour, but in the end they understood that giving workers the opportunity to join a union is good for workers and good for kids.
Please call the following 12 Senators with a simple message:
PLEASE SUPPORT SENATE BILL 402, AND DO NOT SEND IT TO THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Arbitration
Our House arbitration bill (HB 15, Speaker Lujan) passed the Senate Public Affairs Committee on its consent agenda this week, and now awaits a hearing in Senate Judiciary (where the senate version already passed 9-2).
If we can keep HB 15 out of Senate Finance, it should get Senate approval. We are working with the Speaker and our allies in the Senate to try to get an up-or-down floor vote if/when it comes out of Senate Judiciary. We will have a list of Senators to call when this bill is ready.
Other bills
HB 616 (Varela), which limits return to work, passed the House floor earlier today 49-13. Unfortunately, HB 573 (Heaton), which would force new employees into a 30 year retirement, is still alive and headed to House Judiciary. We will need calls to try to stop it there this weekend or early next week.
HB 351 (Varela), which shores up Retiree Health Care funding, passed Senate Public Affairs earlier today and seems likely to continue to get strong support in the Senate. This is a key piece of legislation to preserve one of our members' most important benefits.
Carter Bundy
Political Action Representative
AFSCME International
1202 Pennsylvania St. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 266-2177 ext. 13 (work)
(505) 266-3155 (fax)
