Building Public Support to Raise Revenue and Fight Privatization

1. Building Public Supportto Raise Revenue andFight Privatization NASHTU Conference 2009 Jennifer Munt Public Affairs Director - AFSCME MN Council 5

2. Topics • Raising gas taxes • Comparing costs to fight privatization • Keeping our inspection work

3. Today’s Goals • SHARE Minnesota’s success stories • LEARN how to promote transportation services • BUILDtools to get the public on our side to fight budget cuts, layoffs and privatization

4. Staffing Crisis • 2,700MnDOT AFSCME employees • 700jobs lost under Gov. Pawlenty • 500more jobs on chopping block

5. More Work,Fewer Workers • 30% more lane miles in last decade • 15% more bridges • 30% of bridges are “fractured critical”

6. Unsafe Bridges • 77 inspectors • 14,000 bridges • Well trained • Reports ignored • No funds to fix

7. Parked Plows! 184 drivers 251 plows

8. No State Match = No Federal Funding U.S. House Transportation Chairman Jim Oberstar TH 53 near Orr, MN

9. 35W Bridge Collapse August 1, 2007

10. Ads

11. Scary Bridge Tour

12. Lesson Learned?

13. Solution #1: VOTE YES, DedicateMotor Vehicle Tax

14. Solution #2: Raise Gas Tax • No increase • since 1988 • Gas already $4 • $0.10 a gallon • Few complaints

15. Override & Ouster

16. Solution #3: Taxpayer Accountability Act • Legislation to prevent privatization of AFSCME work • Requires state employee cost comparison before entering into transportation privatization contracts • Requires proof that outsourcing would save taxpayers 10%

17. We’re Better, Faster and Lower Cost

18. Cost Comparison Lane Striping Public - $0.08 a stripe Private - $0.32 a stripe

19. Cost Comparison Creosote removal saved $78,000

20. Solution #4: More Choices

21. Promote Transportation Services, Build Public Support

22. GOVERNMENT

23. Anti-Government Rhetoric “Taxes are skyrocketing because too many fat, lazy bureaucrats are feeding at the government trough. It’s slaughter time!” ~ David Strom, Taxpayers League

24. ? Why does it matter what people think and feel about government?

25. Building Support for Government & Public Services 3 1. Speak to the public interest – not our self-interest 2. Talk about values 3. Highlight the unique role of public services PRINCIPLES

26. PRINCIPLE #1 Speak to the public interest, not self-interest

27. PRINCIPLE #2 Talk about values

28. PRINCIPLE #3 Highlight the unique role of public services in promoting the common good

29. Can You Fix a Bridge? Government Can

30. Example • What we usually say: • The 35W bridge fell because of a lack of funding, maintenance and staff. Now, we need to raise the gas tax to fix our transportation system. • A better message: • When we invest in safer, faster and better transportation, we build a strong economy and improve quality of life.

31. 3 • PUBLIC INTEREST: • How does our work • benefit the community? • 2. VALUES: • What values does our work support? • UNIQUE ROLE: • What’s the unique role that these public services play in promoting the common good? QUESTIONS

32. Small Group Exercise • Select a facilitator and reporter. • Pick a challenge: Raising revenue Fighting privatization Saving inspection work • What do we usually say about this issue? • What should we say about this issue based on the three principles? • Share your message with the full group.

33. Report Out • Please share your message • Tell us how it will get the public on your side