State Worker Unions Urge Investment in Public Services

The need for Connecticut to abandon austerity budgets and instead invest in human needs and the workers who deliver those services was sharply argued this week as the coalition of state workers' unions (SEBAC) released a report “Austerity Versus Reinvestment – A Road Map for a Broad Based Connecticut Economic Recovery.” https://www.ctstateemployees.org/system/files/ct_austerity_report_final.pdf

 

The State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) report outlines the need for strong investment in public services and examines the economic and historical data that show investment in public services and workers is the way toward a strong economic recovery coming out of the CPVOD-19 pandemic.

 

“Now is not the time to continue cutting state services to the bone, because that would mean continuing to accept the unacceptable. Rather, we must protect and expand state services in order to meet the extraordinary level of human need in Connecticut today,” says the report authored by In The Public Interest's Shahrzad Habibi, Research and Policy Director and Yale University's Jennifer Klein, Professor of History. 

 

“Our state is at a crossroads,” emphasized SEBAC. “We can choose the path of austerity, which puts more money in the pockets of the ultra-wealthy while the middle and working class continue to struggle and Connecticut’s historic levels of income and wealth inequality continue to grow. Or Connecticut can choose the path of reinvestment that will create opportunities for our state’s most vulnerable residents, lifting them out of poverty and disadvantage, and thereby improving the health of Connecticut’s economy for everyone.”

 

The state workers pointed out that “elected leaders should learn from past recessions and choose the avenue of reinvestment to guarantee a recovery that is truly for all people - Black, white and Brown.”

 

The report detailed both economic and racial inequalities in Connecticut including unemployment, poverty and health. “Black residents in the state are 2.5 times more likely to die from a coronavirus infection than whites and for Hispanic residents, the rate is 67 percent higher than for white” 

 

Quoting New Haven-based DataHaven the report emphasizes “These disparities are concerning even outside of a pandemic. But as COVID-19 takes an especially sobering toll on already-disadvantaged communities, it becomes evident that systemic oppression based on race, language, poverty, and other socioeconomic factors has left some people more vulnerable than others.”

“While many states are waiting on financial assistance from the federal government, states must also raise new revenues to support increased public investment. Raising new revenues through progressive tax increases primarily on high-income households or corporations is a far better choice than cutting or stagnating spending, which is harmful to the growth of a state’s economy,” explained Shahrzad Habibi, Policy and Research Director, for In The Public Interest and report author.

“Even before the pandemic, it was quite clear we had significant vulnerabilities in our state, and they’ve only become more apparent since,” said State Senator Saud Anwar.

“The state has been part of the safety net that people depend on for their survival. Every part of the state’s help has been stretched at baseline and now it is overloaded. If you look at the important work being done in many of our state’s departments, state workers have done nothing short of heroic work, but have also been overstretched and maximized their potential.” Anwar concluded.

The report indicates that “as many Connecticut residents struggle to make ends meet, high-income individuals in the state actually significantly increased their wealth. Between mid-March and January 29, 2021, Connecticut billionaires had increased their net worth by $3.8 billion.”

“The austerity script is a trap. It not only has diminished our imagination and ingenuity but people’s health and life chances,” described Yale University Professor of History and report author Jennifer Klein,

“Public institutions are not luxuries; they contribute to the many ways in which we thrive. A public budget should focus on what makes lives of human dignity and human flourishing possible. Surely people of all classes benefit from well-functioning, properly staffed state offices, state inspections, tended and clean state parks, safe care facilities, and cutting-edge research and education from the state universities.” she said.

Recovery for All Coaltiion Turns Out to End Systemic Inequalities

Over 300 people turned out to testify for a Recovery for All at the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee's public hearing on March 15. The 12-hour hearing included scores of moving and courageous remarks by low wage health care workers, immigrant workers, clergy and community groups who shared the hardships they are facing. They called for a change to the tax structure in order to fund bold investments in communities, workers and human needs.

They were supporting two bills, HB 6187 and SB 821, which would “repair Connecticut's deeply broken tax structure and invest in needs,” said coalition director Puya Gerami at a Tuesday press conference. The bills would provide “emergency relief and require the wealthy few to contribute to the common good of all.” he said. “Connecticut is the wealthiest state and most unequal and segregated. This is morally unconscionable.”

Currently, billionaires in Connecticut pay an effective tax rate three times lower that everyone else. Through several measures, the two bills would raise $3 billion from the wealthiest “to reduce disparities and fund needs,” said Gerami.

While most working class people have been struggling in the pandemic, Connecticut's billionaires collectively increased their wealth by $3.2 billion this year. However, Governor Ned Lamont's budget is one of austerity including cuts to services and public workers.

“The Governor's budget leaves out Black, Brown and working class white people. It does not address the crisis status essential workers are in,” said Rob Baril president of 1199 New England health care workers union, which has lost 22 members to COVID.

With 200,000 unemployed, 15,000 facing eviction, and one in five children hungry in Connecticut “we need to fund families in desperate need,” said State Rep. Robyn Porter closing out the press conference. “The people who made it possible should get what they earned.”

If the bill is voted favorably out of committee it will go to the floor of both houses for debate and decision.

Below are two of the testimonies presented to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee:

Testimony presented by Georgina Fuentes, Hartford

My name is Georgina Fuentes. I am speaking in favor of HB 6187 and SB 821 for fair tax policies that will lift up all of Connecticut..

I live in Hartford. I work with the Communist Party to make the lives of myself and my community better. I am part of the Recovery for All coalition.

In my neighborhood, many people who work are in low wage jobs and can't make ends meet. It has been even harder during the pandemic. Some are also undocumented and do not have access to health care and other needs.

I grew up in the projects with addiction, and have worked hard for my recovery. I like to help people because I know the struggles of not being able to provide and I know the struggles of not being able to take my kid to have fun. As a single mom I know it's rough for single parents.

The pandemic has highlighted how unacceptable it is for our state to have the greatest inequalities in the country. I am all for taxing the rich their share so it is possible to help people who really need it.

The $3 billion HB 6187 and SB 821 would raise for our state could go a long way to invest in closing that gap.

The $3 billion could help upgrade our education system, make sure everyone including the undocumented have health insurance, and invest in affordable housing.

The funds raised could help provide places for children to learn and play after school and on weekends in cities like Hartford so they too can develop and learn like children in towns that have more.

These funds could made sure that everyone has a roof over their head, somewhere to sleep and cook meals for their children.

These funds could make sure that no one has to get sick because they can't afford their medications.

In my community we pay our fair share of taxes. I support HB 6187 and SB 821 so that those at the top do the same, and so that it is possible for the State of Connecticut to make investments in a true Recovery for All.

Testimony submitted by Jahmal Henderson, New Haven

My name is Jahmal Henderson. I'm a front line worker, a union steward with Unite Here Local 217 at Southern Connecticut State University. Along with the Recovery for All coalition, I'm speaking in support of HB 6187 and SB 821I because it will promote fairness in our unjust tax system.

I live in the Newhallville section of New Haven where I organize with the Newhallville / Winchester Communist Club and the Peoples Center Jobs and Unemployment Committee. We fight daily against the Inequalities faced in my community.

High rates of unemployment and crime have been major issues. Now since the COVID-19 pandemic. these issues have worsened. But communities like mine are being left behind. To achieve racial equity, investments for the recovery should be extended to all communities and residents in need, centering people of color who are the most impacted.

The progressive revenue which HB 6187 and SB 821 would raise, can provide funding for the serious issues my community needs and faces.

Youth have been especially challenged. There is need for youth resources and youth jobs, resources for drug court funding so criminal behavior caused by substance abuse can be addressed as a health care issue, funding to expand access to after school care programs, funding for supportive housing with treatment services for the chronically youth homeless, and preventive care such as free mental health first aid for all.

We need the resources that a fair tax system would provide, in order to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that makes every community and our entire state stronger. I urge you to pass HB 6187 and SB 821.

Legislature Hears Calls for a Just Recovery in Connecticut

Demands for a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic reached Congress and the State Legislature this week, as the historic American Rescue Plan was signed into law and hearings at the state legislature highlighted Husky for Immigrants who are now excluded from health care coverage and workers' compensation presumption for essential workers who contract COVID-19.

The Connecticut Congressional delegation estimates that the American Rescue Plan will bring over $10 billion to workers, families, children, small business and municipalities in Connecticut for relief to make ends meet as a result of the pandemic shutdown, enhance unemployment insurance,  the child tax credit and nutrition, provide the vaccine and PPE, and re-open schools safely.

Press conferences, zoom meetings and prep sessions were held daily for an array of bills expanding democratic rights in Connecticut.

The Husky for Immigrants bill SB 596 that would expand health coverage to those without documents brought testimony from 245 people.

A letter from the Husky for Immigrants Coalition and 306 health care providers in Connecticut to the Human Services Committee said, “As health care providers, we recognize our responsibility to care for all patients, regardless of race, income, or immigration status. Unfortunately, our state laws do not reflect that same commitment.”.

The providers urged support of SB 599. to “remove immigration status from HUSKY eligibility rules and finally allow our most vulnerable community members to access quality medical care.”

Three were many courageous and heartbreaking testimonies from the immigrant community. Undocumented young people stepped forward to tell their stories of the horrible impact of not having health coverage, especially when serious illness occurs. They were praised for their courage by committee co-chair Sen. Marilyn Moore.

The final testimony came from Lisa Bergmann, representing the Connecticut Communist Party Winchester/Newhallville Club, who told the committee, “I work in the health care field, supporting unionized food service workers in Connecticut in accessing health benefits. Many of these workers are undocumented. They are paying the same amount in taxes as their co-workers who were born in this country, however they are unable to access state health programs such as Husky.

“During this past year, nearly all of the workers I support in my job were laid off. I was able to support some workers in transitioning to Husky when they lost their jobs.  However, the undocumented workers could not qualify for Husky and were left with no insurance once their employer stopped paying for their coverage.  In these cases, I searched for free clinics for these members, but many free clinics are open only for limited hours and do not have specialized care that is needed for common chronic conditions such as diabetes and cancer.  Some of these members ended up in the hospital soon after their coverage ended due to lack of access to their medication or other routine care.

“Beyond the unionized workforce, our undocumented community is usually doing the hardest jobs that include the fewest employer-paid benefits.  This is the community that needs Husky the most.  If our undocumented neighbors lack access to care for COVID, STI’s, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, etc, our whole community is at higher risk for these illnesses. 

She concluded, “If SB 956 is passed, it would make our entire state safer for everyone.”

The Labor and Public Employees Committee heard testimony in support of establishing workers' compensation presumption for essential workers who contracted COVID-19.

Sal Luciano, president of the CT AFL-CIO explained, “Essential frontline workers have been working nonstop since the start of the pandemic to keep our state running. But as thousands of them contracted COVID-19 on the job, their employers are unfairly denying them critical wage and health benefits through workers’ compensation.

“The current law requires workers to demonstrate that they acquired an illness at work to qualify for benefits...which can take months or even years. But a bill before the Labor Committee today would help our essential workers by creating a presumption that they got sick on the job. Their employers could still contest their workers’ compensation, but the burden of proof now falls on management.”

“Essential workers kept going to work even as the pandemic raged and killed over 7,700 Connecticut residents. Let’s make sure we take care of them when they get sick,” he said.

A press conference at the state capitol on Thursday celebrated the passage of the Crown Act, led by Rep. Robyn Porter, that upholds the dignity and rights of women of color and makes workplace discrimination against women for their hairstyles illegal. Connecticut is the eighth state and first state in 2021 to pass this legislation.

On Monday the Recovery for All Coalition is organizing testimony on two bills that would create a more fair tax structure so that the tax rate of the wealthiest will be increased to equal what the vast majority of residents pay.

 

2021 African American History Month

Arts and Writing Competition for Grades 8 to 12

Sponsored annually by the Connecticut People's World Committee to remember the lives and work of Dalzenia Henry and Virginia Henry who devoted themselves to the young people of New Haveand to making a better future.

Congratulations to All Participants

Participation Certificate

“Leading from the Outside” by Stacey Abrams

First Place $100 gift card

Second Place $50 gift card

Third Place $25 gift card

First Place Art - Maya Akilotan

“End the Cycle”

Mauro-Sheridan Magnet School

Second Place Art - Karyme Beranda

“The Amazing Black Women That Helped Georgia Turn Blue”

Metropolitan Business Academy

Third Place Art - Ashley Portilla

“Equality”

Metropolitan Business Academy

First Place Writing Poetry - Bryan Lozano

“Vote!”

Metropolitan Business Academy

First Place Writing Essay - Demarques Stevens

“The Third Reconstruction”

Metropolitan Business Academy

Second Place Writing - Samuel Bampoe-Parry

“We are Here to Stay”

Metropolitan Business Academy

Third Place Writing - Bianca Osorio

“We the People”

Metropolitan Business Academy

Honorable Mentions

Rihansi Desai; Artwork “Kamala Harris”

High School in the Community

Nohemie Jeudy, Artwork “stargaze”

Naugatuck High School

Kalis Spell,Writing,”The Third Reconstruction”

Metropolitan Business Academy

Tajay Henlin Music “Bumblebee Blues”

Wilbur Cross High School

2021 African American History Month

Arts and Writing Competition for Grades 8 to 12

Georgia On My Mind: The Third Reconstruction

PROMPT

Black women voters led the victory in Georgia that elected the first Black and Jewish U.S. Senators in the deep South since slavery. The historic organizing, which included Latinx, immigrant, Native American, Asian and union members, overcame every vicious white supremacist and corporate effort at voter suppression.

More than 100,000 voters who did not participate in November are voting in this election, have already cast their ballots, and they are disproportionately voters of color and disproportionately young voters,” said Stacey Abrams who led the grass roots mobilization.

The election in Georgia represents a call for fundamental reconstruction to finally uproot the poisonous legacy of slavery. There is a new understanding of the horrors of systemic racism coming out of the pandemic and the police murders of Black people which gave rise to mass protests across the nation and world last summer.

“If the Reconstruction of the southern states, from slavery to free labor, and from aristocracy to industrial democracy, had been conceived as a major national program of America, whose accomplishment at any price was well worth the effort, we should be living in a different world.” said the great W.E.B. DuBois in his book “Black Reconstruction in America 1860-1880” (1935).

The first Reconstruction briefly flourished after Emancipation, and the second Reconstruction ushered in meaningful progress in the civil rights era (1960's). But both were met by ferocious reactionary measures that severely curtailed, and in many cases rolled back, racial and economic progress. This Third Reconstruction is a profoundly moral awakening of justice-loving people united in a fusion coalition powerful enough to reclaim the possibility of democracy—even in the face of corporate-financed extremism says Rev. William Barber of the Poor People's Campaign author of “The Third Reconstruction.”

“Our model of moral fusion comes out of Reconstruction, when black and white people after slavery got together to reconstruct the south and to rewrite constitutions and to implement policies that would address the post-effects of slavery...We also use Dr. King's model that racism, poverty, and militarism are the triple evils destroying the America society.”

Express in artwork, essay, poetry, rap or song on the following questions

1. In this third period of Reconstruction what legislation should be enacted to uproot racism, given that Kamala Harris, the first African American female vice president, has the historic tie breaking vote in the Senate?

2. What organizing did it take to get people out to vote in Georgia in spite of the massive voter suppression and intimidation tactics used by the right-wing, targeting people of color?

JUDGING CRITERIA

Does the entry address the topic?

Does the entry address collective action for social change?

Does the entry reflect creative thought?

Does the entry have artistic merit?

Is the entry accurate in content and form?

Appreciation to Judge Clifton Graves, Vanessa Glenn, Elida Paiz for judging the submissions.