Statement on Proposed Budget Cuts to UC Labor Institute

Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski

 

“The list of budget cuts proposed by Senate Republicans is discouraging to the millions of working people in this state who will absorb the loss of many critical services if these cuts are adopted. This slash-and-burn approach to the state budget nickels and dimes the poor and working people to stagnation. Our public transit system that connects workers to their jobs faces further starvation. And future state employment that would deliver crucial public services and jobs to our communities would also disappear.

“The most partisan, yet unsurprising, proposed cut is to the University of California Labor Institute. This important institute provides essential research about our state's economy and the workers that build it. Current Institute staff have developed a deep capacity for understanding complicated policy questions like health care reform and their work will help inform this year’s major health policy deliberations. Without their contributions, we would be making important policy decisions affecting millions of people in a vacuum.

“By targeting an institute that has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for workers, the Republican caucus has effectively turned its back on the needs of California’s disenfranchised, and has exposed its anti-worker inclinations.

“We applaud pro-worker senators for holding the line on further budget cuts and urge the state senate to enact the budget immediately.”

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