“It is Time to Create Jobs Instead of Destroying Them”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Contact: Gregory King, 202-429-1145

AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee issued the following statement on recent reports of increased state tax revenues:

“States are finally beginning to turn the corner on the economic disaster created by the misguided right-wing ideologues who allowed greedy bankers and corporate CEOs to turn Wall Street into a casino. In recent days, we have learned that California, Michigan and New Jersey will all collect more in tax revenues than they expected earlier this year. Other states, from Rhode Island to Wisconsin, Delaware to Oregon, have announced similar good news on the revenue front.

“This is more evidence that the best way to get America’s economy moving forward is to put more Americans back to work. We have had more than a year and a half of job growth, but it is time to pick up the sluggish pace. It is essential that we pursue policies to continue creating jobs, in both the private sector and in the public sector. Corporate CEOs are still hoarding more than a trillion dollars in cash instead of expanding their business and hiring more workers. At the same time, in too many states, politicians continue to lay off hard-working Americans who teach our children, plow our streets, protect our communities and care for seniors and the sick.

“That is not the way to strengthen the middle class and create an economy that works for everyone. It is time to pull together to create jobs instead of destroying them. As revenues increase at the state level, we must invest those funds in creating and preserving public service jobs, rather than funding unwise tax cuts for the wealthy. It’s time to stop the dangerous cuts to essential public programs, which middle class Americans need to prosper, and focus our efforts on creating more jobs.”

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AFSCME’s 1.6 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in hundreds of different occupations — from nurses to corrections officers, childcare providers to sanitation workers — AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.