Support government efficiency study and tax freeze over massive consolidations, job cuts

With a troubled economy and persistent budget shortfalls, state legislators are putting forth bills that could impact Ohio's spending, operations, customers, and employees.

Not all ideas are beneficial, however, warn union leaders.

Urge legislators to stop the massive consolidation bill (SB 52), and instead support the tax freeze (HB 318) and the government efficiency study (HB 343).

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Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

Ohioans simply cannot afford to lose more programs or the people who deliver these vital services. In fact, since 2002, the state government workforce has shrunk by 7,500 employees and Ohio has lost eight (soon to be nine) facilities that carried out the missions of the Departments of Rehabilitation and Correction, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Youth Services.

Rather, decision makers should be asking, "What is good government, and what do Ohio citizens want and need from their government?"

That's why I am counting on you to protect vital state services that Ohioans depend on everyday, and especially now in these difficult economic times.

* First, join with me in supporting Gov. Ted Strickland's plan, House Bill 318, to postpone an income tax cut that jeopardizes public programs.

* Next, stop Senate Bill 52, a legislative plan to restructure the existing 24 cabinet agencies into 10 and eliminate up to 11,000 state employees. A failing economy has already resulted in a substantial reduction in the size of state government and has eliminated 4,500 state employee positions since January 2007. This legislation would cost more upfront, place programs at risk for merger-related failures, and create massive, unmanageable bureaucracies that are not designed to deliver efficient, effective services.

* Instead, support House Bill 343, legislation that would create a government efficiency study to ask questions about all government spending and operations, explore efficiency opportunities, report findings, and recommend solutions. This legislation, offered as an alternative to the harmful consolidation bill, would examine supervisor-to-worker ratios and make recommendations. Union activists, who have long-held the position that many agencies are top-heavy, and have made related recommendations in joint committees to improve processes and save agency dollars.

I am urging you to OPPOSE SB 52 and support HB 318 and HB 343.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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