National gathering on the campaign for Federal Aid
On July 13-14 in Baltimore, Maryland, over 95 delegates from 23 states met to hear from national economic experts, pollsters and communications gurus to kickstart a grassroots organizing drive in support of extending Federal recovery aid to communities throughout the United States. The participants included researchers, local officials, teachers, union leaders, ministers, congregational organizers, and community activists. The goal was to prepare for state-based efforts to generate active support for more Federal funds to support vital services and systems.
What’s the message?
- Investment banks played monopoly with American pensions, home values and accumulated wealth losing over $15 trillion -- $50,000 for every man, woman, and child in the United States.
- The 2009 Recovery Act injected over $800 billion into the economy through tax cuts, aid to communities and infrastructure investments protecting the U.S. from a full-fledged depression.
- The Recovery money runs out soon but the economy is still fragile. Without more Federal aid, communities will fall off the funding cliff losing vital services causing a double-dip recession.
- More Federal investment in communities is crucial and there are revenue options that would prevent a greater national deficit including a small tax on investment banks.
The conference, organized by IWF and funded by the Ford Foundation, also featured interactive training by Demos Public Works staff, where participants practiced using effective ways of talking about government and the economy to counter negative stereotypes about the public sector. The meeting concluded with an agreement by state groups to work together, share strategies and materials, and organize similar meetings in their state or region to organize others. Stay tuned for more information as Wisconsin groups put the ideas into motion.
For more information on issues and talking points, visit the following links:
National Recovery effort hampered by politics
In the face of a desperate economic situation for states and local governments, a large coalition of organizations has created a national coalition to press for additional Federal aid. It’s known as the Jobs for America Now campaign.
They are working to coordinate support for Congressional action to reduce unemployment and provide the financial help states and local governments' need to avoid increasingly disastrous service cuts.
Specific goals at the Federal level include:
- Rep. George Miller’s Local Jobs for America Act
- Extended jobless benefits
- And increased Medicaid assistance for states.