March 26, 2013

National/Politics

A Sea Change in Less Than 50 Years as Gay Rights Gained Momentum
By JOHN HARWOOD, New York Times, March 25, 2013

…… The modern fight for gay rights is, by contrast, less than a half-century old, dating from the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York. But this week, as the Supreme Court hears two landmark cases on same-sex marriage, the speed and scope of the movement are astonishing supporters.….. Public resistance obscured quieter advances elsewhere. Labor unions had long been the movement’s “strongest ally” in seeking protections for gay workers, said Gregory King, a staff member at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. And as increasing numbers of gay employees became open about their sexuality, major corporations extended benefit programs to cover same-sex couples.

Why the Fight Over Work Visas Won't Doom the Immigration Bill
by Fawn Johnson, National Journal, March 25, 2013 | 6:56 p.m. 

Make no mistake. The immigration bill being crafted by the “Gang of Eight” senators will include foreign work visas despite warnings from both business and labor that their talks over the issue have broken down. Here’s why. The AFL-CIO, for the first time in its history, has signed off on a work-visa program that would allow employers to bring foreign workers into the United States on a temporary basis. Those visas would come with an assurance that the worker would have access to a green card, possibly as soon as one year after coming into the country. But initially, they are temporary visas.  “It would be a new kind of work-visa program. It would be dual intent,” said AFL-CIO spokesman Jeff Hauser.  This is a big deal. Previously, the AFL-CIO opposed any kind of temporary-visa program.

As sequester furloughs loom, federal workers turn to local union leaders
By Steve Hendrix, Washington Post: March 25

….. In the sequester era, union locals are the nexus of anxiety. The national unions, such as the NTEU and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), are waging the public budget battles on Capitol Hill. But it is to the offices of local union leaders such as Hiller that rattled federal workers — more than 300,000 in the Washington region — often turn for information, help and sympathy. Overnight, local union officials have become confidants, financial advisers and social workers.

Declining Wealth Brings a Rising Retirement Risk
By BRUCE BARTLETT, New York Times, March 26, 2013

…. In 1984, 41 percent of wealth was held in the form of home equity. By 2000, that percentage had fallen to 30 percent; in 2011 it was 25 percent. A key reason for this change has been the switch from defined-benefit to defined-contribution pension plans. In the former, workers are promised a specific income at retirement, which the employer provides. The employer bears all the risk of market fluctuations. … There are several big problems in this shift to defined-contribution pension plans. One is that workers don’t take advantage of them or fail to contribute the maximum contribution they are permitted to make. Another is that they fail to invest in stocks and instead put their money into certificates of deposit or other investments that tend to underperform stocks in the long run. Workers may also be unwise in choosing investment advisers and end up paying a lot in unnecessary fees that can be very costly to returns.

Editorial: Willful Ignorance
New York Times, March 24, 2013

Automatic spending cuts are a mindless way to budget, and they will leave the nation in the dark. Here’s how: Under the cuts, the Census Bureau budget will be $845 million, well below the Obama administration’s $970 million request. That will force the bureau to delay completion of the Economic Census, an immense survey done every five years that provides the benchmark measurements for economic growth and other vital indicators, including inflation and productivity. Without such data, policy makers, business leaders, investors, economists and social researchers will be at a disadvantage. … The cuts also come as the bureau is starting to test new methods for the 2020 decennial census, like using the Internet to replace expensive door-to-door surveying. In short, the cuts come just as the bureau’s duties are ramping up. That is why the White House asked for extra money, and why the Republicans were wrong to deny it.

Companies Get Strict on Health of Workers
By KATIE THOMAS, New York Times, March 25, 2013

Employers are increasingly trying to lower health care costs by using incentives to persuade workers to make better lifestyle choices, a new survey shows, but what remains less clear is whether a reward is better than a punishment — or whether the programs work at all. The survey, of 800 large and midsize employers conducted by the human-resources consulting firm Aon Hewitt, found that the vast majority of companies, or 79 percent, use rewards like lower insurance premiums to try to nudge employees to improve their health. But increasingly, the survey found, employers are taking the programs a step further, by penalizing employees who do not make healthy choices and linking incentives to measurable results.

Health law could boost use of temp workers
By Jay Hancock, Washington Post: March 25

The health-care law could prove to be a boon for temporary-staffing companies as employers outsource jobs to sidestep complex requirements for medical insurance. But some experts say the Affordable Care Act’s exceptions for temporary employees could undercut the goal of expanding coverage to more American workers. “That could lead to an increase in part-time workers” who lack insurance, said Susan N. Houseman, an economist at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research who studies staffing companies. “You regulate something and people will always try to find a way around the regulation.”

Claim About Health Reform “Rate Shock” Is “Unfounded,” Urban Analysis Finds
March 25, 2013 at 10:48 am, CBPP

The insurance industry and its allies warn that health reform’s limit on how much more insurers can charge older people than younger people for coverage will make individual insurance much more expensive for young adults.  But a new Urban Institute analysis finds that this claim of “rate shock” is “unfounded.”

Online Sales Tax Legislation Gains Support in Senate
JENNIFER DEPAUL, Bond Buyer, Monday, March 25, 2013

State and local officials praised lawmakers for adding legislation to the fiscal year 2014 Senate budget resolution that would allow states to collect taxes from online retailers and catalogs. In a largely symbolic move, the Senate voted late 75 to 24 late Friday to approve the Marketplace Fairness Act as an amendment to the budget resolution.

State/Local

AK: As AO-37 Vote Nears, Final Work Session 'Frustrates' Union Leaders
By Lacie Grosvold, KTVA: Mar 25, 2013 at 10:21 AM

The fight over changes to the way the city bargains with unions is supposed to end with a vote on Tuesday March 26, but some assembly members want more time to consider the ordinance.  At a work session Friday between the Anchorage Assembly and municipal attornies, Assemblyman Paul Honeman presented AR-77, a resolution asking the mayor to delay a vote on AO-37 until October.

AZ: Phoenix Mayor Retracts Tax Repeal Stance
by: JIM WATTS, Bond Buyer, Monday, March 25, 2013

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton will not support the early repeal of an emergency sales tax on food after City Manager David Cavazos said the city would face devastating budget cuts from the loss of revenue. Cavazos said the $55 million revenue drop would require cuts in city services, closing five of its 13 recreational centers, and force the layoffs of 300 municipal employees and 99 police officers. …. Tax-demise proponent Councilman Sal DiCiccio said his effort to repeal the tax will continue at public hearings on the fiscal 2014 city budget. "Mayor Stanton fulfilled his commitment to the union bosses and failed the middle class," DiCiccio said. "Promises made must be kept."

CA: State urged to turn over parks to local governments, nonprofits
By Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times, March 26, 2013

California's first attempt to run a park more than a century ago was a disaster. Over a campfire in the backcountry, John Muir himself urged President Theodore Roosevelt to rescue thousands of acres in the Yosemite Valley from the state's neglect — and it remains a national park to this day. … A report from the nonpartisan Little Hoover Commission released Monday said years of heedless growth had saddled the state with more land than it is equipped to manage, and the lumbering Department of Parks and Recreation has allowed the system to slip into obsolescence.

CA: Budget cuts create unprecedented stress on community colleges
March 26th, 2013 |  By John Fensterwald, EdSource

A decline of 24 percent in per-student funding over five years has led to a record decline in access to community colleges and has jeopardized the services to those students who are enrolled, an extensive study by the Public Policy Institute of California concluded. …. Although, the state’s 112 community colleges were protected more than four-year universities from cuts as a percentage of their budgets, they are more dependent on state revenue because fees comprise a tiny piece of their budgets, leaving them less well-positioned to weather cuts, the report said.

CA: CARBON MONOXIDE BILL ADVANCES IN ASSEMBLY
By Michael Gardner MARCH 26, 2013, Union Tribune

Assembly legislation has advanced that would require all newer public and private K-12 schools to install carbon monoxide detectors. … The bill is supported by the California State Firefighters Association; California Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and California School Employees Association.

CT: Tom Foley wants to redefine 'conflict of interest'
Published: Monday, March 25, 2013 nhregister.com

Expected Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley supports legislation that, as currently written, would disallow half of the lawmakers in office from serving because of their, or their families’, connections to labor unions, state contractors or businesses that employ lobbyists. ….. Among the lawmakers potentially who could be affected under the Foley proposal are: state House Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, who is the education coordinator of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 4;

GA: Senate GOP pushes union dues, unemployment changes
Associated Press, 7:51 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2013

The Georgia business lobby won another victory as the Senate approved a change on paycheck deductions for union dues and limited unemployment benefits for certain temporary workers. The dues provision would require that workers be able to opt out anytime from agreements to pay dues through an automatic paycheck deduction. Current law calls for an annual decision. On unemployment, certain temporary education system workers like bus drivers and cafeteria workers would not be eligible to receive jobless benefits in the summer months when they aren't working.

Ga. Senate passes abortion bill for state employees
WSB Radio, March 26, 2013

With just two legislative days left this session, the state Senate passes the first abortion bill of the session. Senators amended another bill, dealing with health coverage for employees of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, to prevent abortions from being covered under the state employee health plan. Exceptions would be made to save the mother’s life.

IA: Health board OKs union contract
By TINA HINZ, wcfcourier.com, March 25, 2013

Unionized Black Hawk County health employees will receive across-the-board pay increases the next three years. The county Board of Health has ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 61, Local 679. While 100 positions are covered by the bargaining unit, not everyone may be a dues-paying member. Under the contract, workers will receive a 1.25 percent wage increase July 1 and another 1.25 percent raise Jan. 1, 2014. The contract includes raises of 2.25 percent and 2.5 percent on July 1, 2014, and July 1, 2015, respectively.

IA: Davenport school board hones in on budget cuts
Tara Becker, Quad City Times, March 26, 2013

The potential impact of cutting next year’s Davenport Community School District budget by $3.2 million became apparent Monday night in a series of reductions offered by Superintendent Art Tate. During a lengthy school board meeting, Tate made recommendations that included: - Offering an early retirement incentive that would save the district a projected $980,000. …. One such recommendation by the committee is to outsource nursing, janitorial and other positions. The board has not yet to direct Tate to do a study on the issue. … Ty Cutkomp, an AFSCME representative, told the board Monday night that outsourcing positions “is the wrong option.”

IA: Senate approves Medicaid expansion plan
Mar. 25, 2013 11:55 PM,  |   William Petroski, Des Moines Register

The Iowa Senate approved legislation Monday night to add more than 100,000 low-income Iowans to the state-federal Medicaid health insurance program, setting up a showdown with Gov. Terry Branstad.

IL: 6-0 Rockford library trustees like RVC as downtown tenant
RRSTAR.com  Mar 26, 2013

…. The board also approved a three-year labor agreement, 6-0, with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3350, which represents about 45 library employees. The contract calls for a 3 percent pay increase for each year of the contract.

IL: Postal workers rally in Chicago for Saturday delivery
March 25, 2013, Crain’s

Postal Service workers across Illinois gathered this weekend to urge their agency's boss to reconsider ending Saturday mail delivery. … Also in attendance were Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church; U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Chicago; and Larry Spivack, regional director for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

IL: Local governments unhappy with state plan for sharing income taxes
By John P. Huston, Chicago Tribune, March 26, 2013

Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed that the state bolster its own troubled finances by freezing the amount of state income taxes shared with local governments at 2012 levels, which could cost some towns hundreds of thousands of dollars. Quinn estimates the plan would generate an additional $68 million for the state budget. Because income taxes are disbursed on a per capita basis, the impact to local budgets would be $5.30 per resident, according to the state. But the Illinois Municipal League estimates the impact would be more than twice that — a $148 million payday for the state, but an $11.50-per-resident cut to local budgets.

IL: Editorial: Privatizing development agency a bad idea
The Pantagraph, March 26, 2013

There is little doubt the state needs to do a better job in economic development. Illinois’ employment hasn’t recovered from the recession, even though surrounding states and the rest of the country, have seen significant employment gains. How much of that performance is the fault of the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Development is debatable. State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, has proposed legislation to reorganize the agency and seek to privatize some of its functions. The department could certainly benefit from some focus and attention, but privatizing the efforts when taxpayer dollars are involved is not a good idea.

KY: Beshear’s pension reform proposal meets with resistance
03/25/13 at 6:26pm, Scott Wartman, Cincinnati.com

Gov. Steve Beshear’s proposal to reform the state’s beleaguered pension system met with resistance Monday evening among Democratic lawmakers who met with the governor behind closed doors. While Beshear wouldn’t release any information on the plan, lawmakers said the proposed plan would call for eliminating a $20 personal income tax credit that would net the state $65 million a year and, to offset that burden on the taxpayer, would reduce by 2 cents the state gas tax, which funds transportation projects. … Beshear’s plan, along with the plan of the Senate Republicans, involved for new hires a hybrid plan that mixes aspects of a 401(k) with some guaranteed benefits like the current public pension plan.

MD: Prince George’s school takeover legislation introduced in Md. Senate
By Ovetta Wiggins and Aaron C. Davis, Washington Post: March 25

Maryland lawmakers introduced a bill Monday that would give Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III direct control over the county’s schools superintendent and operations. But the measure, a watered-down version of Baker’s plan to take over the struggling school system, proposes keeping its $1.7 billion budget in the hands of a retooled county Board of Education, effectively splitting power between Baker and the elected board.

MI: Detroit emergency manager Orr faces hostility, high hopes in first day on job
BY DARREN A. NICHOLS THE DETROIT NEWS, MARCH 25, 2013 AT 12:49 PM

Emergency manager Kevyn Orr begins his job today amid high hopes from supporters that he can fix Detroit's troubled finances as well as growing community unrest over the state's historic takeover of City Hall. ….. Local clergy are vowing to join the NAACP, AFSCME Council 25 and the UAW to file a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's emergency manager law.

Michigan has right-to-work specialist in place as law about to take effect
By Melissa Anders | mlive.com, March 25, 2013 at 7:59 PM

The state has a new employee dedicated to dealing with right-to-work issues as the controversial law takes effect on Thursday. Travis Calderwood started in February as an administrative law specialist in the state Bureau of Employment Relations, according to bureau Director Ruthanne Okun. His duties include developing informational material on the law and answering questions from employers, employees and union representatives. … In his former job as a lawyer with Collins & Blaha P.C. in Farmington Hills, Calderwood represented public school districts in employment and labor law, along with state and federal compliance and regulatory issues.

MI: Ann Arbor approves new contract with city's largest labor union 3 days before right-to-work starts
By RYAN J. STANTON , Annarbor.com, Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 6:23 p.m.

Three days before Michigan's controversial right-to-work law is set to take effect, the city of Ann Arbor has struck a deal on a new contract with its largest labor union. The Ann Arbor City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve a new collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 369 and its roughly 270 members. … The new contract includes wage increases of 1 percent in January 2014, 0.5 percent in July 2014, 1.5 percent in January 2015, 1 percent in January 2016 and 1 percent in January 2017.

MI: Van Dyke votes to outsource janitor jobs
By Mitch Hotts, macombdaily.com, 03/25/13 10:24 pm

The Van Dyke Board of Education on Monday night voted unanimously to outsource its custodial services to a private company in a move to save about $1.8 million over the next three years as the district works to reduce its budget deficit. The move will result in the layoffs of about 23 custodians in Van Dyke Public Schools in south Warren, although they can apply to be interviewed by the new company. … Jeff VanConant, president of AFSCME Local 989 that includes the janitors, said he had hoped to have more time to come up with a counter proposal, but conceded they were unlikely to match the savings projected by Enviro-Clean.

MI: Supreme Court Takes New Case on Affirmative Action, From Michigan
By ADAM LIPTAK, New York Times, March 25, 2013

The Supreme Court on Monday added a new affirmative action case to its docket. It is already considering a major challenge to the University of Texas’ race-conscious admissions program. The new case, Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, No. 12-682, concerns a voter initiative in Michigan that banned racial preferences in admissions to the state’s public universities.

MN: A push for trans-inclusive health care
Branden Largent, MN Daily,  March 25, 2013

Labor unions and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-equality groups are pushing transgender-inclusive health care as part of the first-of-its-kind national Transgender Month of Action. … For the first time this year, the University’s student, faculty and staff health plans offer trans-inclusive care, according to University of Minnesota officials. … Labor unions have historically fought for LGBT issues — like domestic partnership benefits — so including the workforce in the conversation seemed logical, said Cherrene Horazuk, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3800 for University clerical workers.

MO: Letter - Paycheck protection bill: Measure hurts unions, working families
Mar. 25, 2013 9:08 PM,  |   Audra Dickens, News Leader

As a public employee, I’m appalled at our state Senate and House for passing a so-called paycheck protection bill.. It’s an unnecessary bill, a waste of taxpayers’ money, and nothing more than an attack on unions and working families.

NC: Advocacy groups line up on opposite sides for tax reform
By: Loretta Boniti, News 14,  03/25/2013 05:54 PM

Advocacy groups are getting creative getting their message out on tax reform. Conservatives are saying a complete overhaul is needed, and left-leaning groups are saying the changes should be fair to all tax payers. The NC Justice Center along with the AFL-CIO joined forces to introduce the so-called battle between good and evil. The battle may be a bit tongue and cheek, with luchadora fighters standing in for the battle, but the message is a serious one.

NJ: State takes over Camden district; Prior school takeovers don't guarantee success
Mar 26, 2013  |  Michael Symons, Asbury Park Press

Now that the state has taken over the troubled Camden school district, the public should expect mixed academic results at best, and a major state role that could last into the 2030s, if past performance is any indication, experts say.

NM: Would ‘right-to-work’ law make NM more competitive?
Albuquerque Business First, Mar 25, 2013, 2:14pm MDT

A national expert on “right-to-work” laws encouraged a crowd of commercial real estate executives and government officials Monday to begin a push to pass the legislation in New Mexico. Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, said the law gives workers the right to refuse to pay union dues as a condition of employment. Mix spoke at an event sponsored by the New Mexico chapter of NAIOP — Commercial Real Estate Development Association Monday at the Albuquerque Marriott at 2101 Louisiana Blvd. NE.

Nevada politican puts chips on election betting bill
By: Kevin Robillard, Politico, March 25, 2013 06:53 PM EDT

If a Nevada state Senator gets his way, gamblers could have a new kind of horse race to bet on. A top Las Vegas lawmaker introduced a bill Monday to legalize betting on federal elections. “Simply to make money for the state,” said Tick Segerblom, a Las Vegas Democrat who chairs the state Senate’s Judiciary Committee, when asked why he was pushing the law

NY: North Rockland school plan cuts jobs
Mar 25, 2013   Akiko Matsuda, LoHud.com

The North Rockland school district’s proposed budget for 2013-14 calls for increasing spending and eliminating 11.4 positions. …  At 6 p.m., the teachers association and members of the Civil Service Employees Association, the PTA and the school administration will rally in front of the high school.

OH: Overtime costs down in Ohio prisons / Union says staffing cuts to blame
Mar 26, 2013  |   Jessie Balmert, CentralOhio.com

Ohio’s prisons cut more than $3.4 million in overtime last year, but union officials attribute the reduction to fewer workers rather than more efficient operations. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction spent more-than $59.4 million on staff overtime in 2012, a 5.4 percent decrease in from 2011. A large portion of that overtime reduction, about $2.2 million, came from privatizing the North Central Correctional Complex in Marion, according to a report from the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee, a legislative watchdog group that oversees Ohio’s prison and youth services facilities. … Sally Meckling, spokeswoman for the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, says overall overtime costs have dropped, but costs per staff member have increased slightly. Staffing was cut from 14,454 employees in January 2008 to 11,891 employees in January 2013, according to department statistics.

OK: Mayor's budget likely won't include raises for Tulsa city workers
By ZACK STOYCOFF World, Published: 3/26/

Mayor Dewey Bartlett's budget proposal to the City Council next month likely will not include raises for nonsworn city employees, he told the Tulsa World. ….. Michael Rider, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1180, said in a written statement Monday that delaying consideration of raises is a "back-burner approach" that fails to consider how vital city services would be affected.

OR: Possible ballot measure would allow public workers to opt out of union dues
Statesman Journal, March 25, 2013

A proposed ballot measure called the "Public Employee Choice Act" has gotten enough signatures (at least 1,000) for a ballot title and campaign committee. Jeff Mapes at the Oregonian says the measure would allow state workers and other public employees to opt out of paying union dues. Right now, employees can be exempt from the part of union dues that go toward political causes but they still have to pay for the union's negotiating of their contract and representing them in labor matters, called "fair share" dues.

PA: Council flooded with questions
SEAN COLLINS WALSH & JAN RANSOM, Daily News, March 26, 2013

….. Three of the city's four biggest unions have been in negotiation stalemates with Nutter since 2009, and Council found itself at ground zero of that battle two weeks ago when hundreds of union protesters swamped Council chambers and whistled and chanted at Nutter until he abandoned his annual budget address. Henon said that Nutter's recent decision to take his dispute with the biggest union, District Council 33, to the state Supreme Court was "a little bizarre" and "just doesn't make sense to me." … Citing legal reasons, Everett Gillison, Nutter's chief of staff, declined to answer specific questions on ongoing negotiations with DC 33, but said the administration wants to end the standoff and is "continuing to insist on sitting down and talking."

SC state worker numbers continue to dwindle
March 26, 2013  By ADAM BEAM —thestate.com

State lawmakers have cut the state’s work force by 15 percent over the past 13 years, a result of budget cuts and state agencies relying more on private companies to provide public services. …. On June 30, the state had close to 10,000 vacancies, bringing the state’s total workforce to just more than 56,000 people. Meanwhile, the state’s population has increased 18 percent since 2000, leading critics to argue the state’s work force is forced to do more with less, and with less pay. …. “We are kicking the can down the road, and the citizens are going to end up paying for it,” said Carlton Washington, executive director of the S.C. State Employees Association. “When we are not able to retain (state) troopers and retain health inspectors, then the public suffers and we have health issues. That’s what we are concerned about.”

TX: Mineral Wells hopes to keep prison that lawmakers want to close
Star Telegram, Monday, Mar. 25, 2013

…. State Sen. John Whitmire and others say it's time to close the Mineral Wells Pre-Parole Transfer Facility - a 2,100-bed, privately run minimum-security prison - and use the $54 million in taxpayer money that would be spent there over the next two years for other public safety needs.  …. A labor union representing state prison guards - the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Corrections United - recommends closing the prison, as well as the Dawson State Jail in Dallas, which also is on the chopping block. "Dangerous private prisons breed gang activity and result in higher cost to the taxpayers in the long run," said Lance Lowry, president of the group. "Private prison companies make their profit by filling beds and have been known to encourage incarceration."