When public sector budgets are slashed it is a double blow. Not only do we lose family-sustaining jobs, but citizens are at risk of not receiving the quality services that they rely on and deserve.
There are currently over 3,000 vacant positions in state government alone, the result of employees who retired without being replaced, due to budget cuts.
Tight budgets are often used as an excuse to dismantle quality public services through outsourcing or privatizing public sector jobs. This often results in inferior service at a higher cost to taxpayers. Accurate cost-benefit analysis and strict accountability are needed any time that privatization is considered to protect the interest of taxpayers.
Therefore, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO supports SB 447 Truth in State Contracting Act, a package of government accountability and contracting reforms that which will:
- Improve transparency in the process used by the state when an agency proposes to outsource public sector work;
- Provide for an accurate cost-benefit analysis in each case;
- Ensure accountability to taxpayers in the event that a private sector firm is awarded a state contract.
If you have been reading along with the blog this week, you know that strong public services are one of three priorities that the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is working towards to rebuild Wisconsin with jobs that we can be proud of. These are the other articles in our Good Jobs Agenda series:
http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2010/02/lets-rebuild-wisconsin-with-jobs-we-can-be-proud-of.html
http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2010/02/rebuild-wisconsin-part-1-create-a-green-economy-for-working-people.html
http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2010/02/rebuild-wisconsin-part-2-support-and-expand-our-manufacturing-sector.html
We have a clear idea of what needs to be done to create and sustain good jobs. Stay tuned to this blog for progress updates and ways that you can get involved.
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