PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 26, 2018
Contact: Mazie Stilwell, Communications Specialist
(515) 246-2637; [email protected]
STATEMENT ON DANGEROUS PROPOSAL TO CUT $52 MILLION FROM STATE BUDGET MID-YEAR
DES MOINES – AFSCME Council 61 President Danny Homan issued the following statement in response to Iowa Senate Republicans’ proposal to cut $52 million from the state’s budget mid-fiscal year:
“There is simply no way for state agencies to absorb the level of mid-year cuts that were proposed yesterday afternoon from Iowa Senate Republicans. These cuts could have been prevented and should have been addressed responsibly with a special session last year. The proven inability to manage our state’s finances by Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans is a sorry excuse for responsive governing.
“When mid-year budget cuts were made last year, our correctional system became even more of a dangerous mess. It’s terrifying to think about what an extra $3.4 million in cuts will do. The judicial branch is advising that they would have no choice but to close 30 courthouses if these cuts go into effect. Two adopted teens have died on DHS’s watch, but this is the time to cut an additional $9.9 million? There is not a single department that can effectively provide public services under these cuts. Every corner of our state will feel the impact of these horribly irresponsible budgeting practices.”
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 61 represents 40,000 public employees in Iowa including law enforcement and correctional officers, firefighters, mental health workers, professional school staff, emergency responders, and many other workers. AFSCME Council 61 also represents home health care and child care providers across the state and private sector workers at Prairie Meadows, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Des Moines University, and ABM (Marshalltown).
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