More budget standoff ads are coming.
Unions representing state workers — most of whom will be out of work if there’s a state shutdown July 1 — will air a television ad this week saying they want to work, not be laid off while the powers that be battle over the budget.
Not surprisingly, they support Gov. Mark Dayton’s plan to raise revenue with a tax increase for the highest-earning Minnesotans.
The ads will air on broadcast and cable television. They paint a picture of road work left unfinished, closed state parks and the loss of health care for many.
Employees in the ad back Dayton over the Republican-dominated Legislature, which, they say, would rather lay-off the state work force.
The new ads are sponsored by the state council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), the Inter-Faculty Organization and the Middle Management Association, which will spend $300,000 to air the 30-second ad. Other ads from the Alliance for a Better Minnesota also back Dayton’s plan, while ads supporting the Republican side of the issue are coming from the Taxpayers League of Minnesota and the Coalition of Minnesota Businesses.
While I know who the dues-paying members of the various employee groups are, I would like to know who pays for the so-called Taxpayers League and Coalition of Businesses. Where do I find their members?
I think it is important to note that employees support reasonable funding of government so that services that they know are important can be provided. The shutdown is not due to employees or their cost. Something like only 2.5% of the budget is salaries. Of course, no one wants to lose their job.
Reading the WSJ, a recent shutdown of the airport in London had a massive “downriver” loss effect on local businesses and loss of revenue. In our case this would be due to 40,000 unemployed and not spending as well as needed government services not being provided. I am concerned for mine and others — as well as tourism — if this occurs.