. States Still Reeling from Ongoing Fiscal Crisis (Bush Tax Policies)

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 U.S. Newswire

The AFT Public Employees Compensation Survey, now in its fifth year, is a comprehensive source on salary information for state employee professionals used by state governments and public sector human resource departments across the country. ..

"This survey shows that states still are struggling to rebound from the nation's economic slump," said Steve Porter, director of the AFT Public Employees division. "It's going to take years for states to recover from the Bush administration's tax policies, which are hurting, not helping, states' ability to deliver the high-quality services that Americans rely on."

The survey shows that states have significantly reduced salary increases, which have plummeted from 3.63 percent in 2002- 2003 to 0.45 percent in 2003-2004. This compares to overall U.S. salary increases of over 3 percent for 2003-2004, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics information.

"In a shortsighted effort to manage budget deficits, state agencies across the country are sacrificing experienced staff to layoffs, attrition and early retirement pension buyout options," said Porter. "These stopgap measures can have disastrous effects. For example, how can we effectively maintain the safety of our nation's bridges when we have lost over 700 inspectors, a 33 percent drop in one critical safety position alone?" ..

Ride Don’t Drive * * It’s Global Cool

[Wright Patman]

1. Citizen inspection

If a bridge collapses while said citizen is inspecting it with his vehicle, we will know it wasn't up to specifications.

[indepat]

2. We ain't seen nothing yet for W's best is yet to come

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. I explain

to folks that the reason our state taxes have increased is because of Bush. Sadly, many don't believe me.

[shrike]

4. No shit

'Bout time the media mentioned this: where I live nobody has any money for anything. They're practically running around, hat in hand, looking for spare change.

[struggle4progress]

5. kick

:kick: