For Immediate Release
Monday, February 14, 2000
Invest in Future Before Tax Cuts Focus Groups Say; Invest in America Coalition Delivers Letter to President
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO (AFSCME) and more than 100 national organizations have joined together to persuade Congress and the President to invest the budget surplus in America’s future.
The group sent a letter to the President and congressional leadership as part of a year-long campaign to make sure the highest priority is placed on funding for investments in the development of education, health, productivity and employment. The letter urged leadership to guarantee a stronger economy, a sound Social Security system, a healthy civil society, stronger families, and a thriving nation.
“We are at an historic turning point defined on the one hand by a booming economy and record-setting federal surpluses,” said Gerald W. McEntee, AFSCME International President. “On the other, there is an increasing gap between rich and poor Americans and the belief of millions of working families that their lives are becoming harder and they are being left behind.”
Celinda Lake, of Lake Snell Perry & Associates, completed a series of focus groups on the issues of budget and investments on behalf of AFSCME and the coalition. In a series of seven focus group discussions in Los Angeles, Baltimore and Cincinnati in December, registered voters were asked what they thought should be done with the budget surplus.
“What’s really startling is that people start out agreeing with [the coalition’s] basic premise,” says Celinda Lake. That is, they believe:
- America has significant unmet needs that should take priority over cutting taxes.
- The surplus should be used to protect Social Security.
- Education and health care are more important investments that should take precedence over tax cuts.
- Most people wouldn’t pocket much from a tax cut if Congress approves one, anyway.
“I think the core message” that came out of the focus group sessions “is, ‘Invest in America – we can’t afford not to,’ or, ‘Invest in America – if not now, when?’” says pollster Celinda Lake.
Most Americans “think there’s a lot of money out there and they want to put their priorities straight,” she says. They have “a very broad investment agenda” and they want it addressed now.
The Invest in America Coalition was established last year with AFSCME, OMB Watch, the Coalition on Human Needs and the Food Research and Action Center as leaders.
