Unions alarmed

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Peninsula readers' letters: Jan. 7



From Daily News Group readers
Posted: 01/06/2011 11:58:54 PM PST
Updated: 01/06/2011 11:58:55 PM PST






Unions alarmed

Dear Editor: New census figures released Wednesday show state revenues declined by nearly 31 percent in 2009. Underperforming investments by state pension funds and declining tax revenues were cited as the primary causes for the falling revenues.

Nicholas Johnson, director of the State Fiscal Project at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, told The Washington Post that next year will mark "the most difficult budget year for states ever." A recent study by the group found that 40 states have projected budget gaps totaling $113 billion for next year. Forty-six states have raised taxes and made deep cuts to close a combined budget gap of $130 billion.

And the Republicans are now trying to spoil life for unions by taking away their right to bargain. They're also trying to push through several measures that would make it harder for unions to collect dues to be used in politics or just to run the unions. Unions are very alarmed right now about what's going on.

Ted Rudow III,MA

Palo Alto