On Tuesday, March 9, MSEA-SEIU members shared hundreds
of cost-savings ideas with the Legislature's Appropriations
Committee. Our presentation is part of a determined
effort by MSEA-SEIU members to help balance the state
budget by identifying cost savings, efficiencies and
revenues. We also identified specific examples of contracting
out that appear to be wasteful or questionable.
The ensuing report compiling all of the suggestions
by MSEA-SEIU members was so extensive that MSEA-SEIU
Interim Executive Director Steve Butterfield delivered
it to members of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee
in CD format. At Butterfield's request, the committee
clerk personally handed each Appropriations Committee
member a CD containing the report. Butterfield also
presented the committee with a printed copy.
Legislators from both parties on the Appropriations
Committee thanked MSEA-SEIU members for their suggestions.
Members of the committee were working out ways to extract
cost savings from the recommendations.
The suggestions came from a survey on our website and
written and electronic communications with our members
seeking input on how to balance the state budget. The
survey ran from December 28 through February 5. Our
members have said all along that they can help find
ways for the state to operate more efficiently and lower
costs all the while ensuring quality public services,
and the suggestions provide scores of ways to do just
that.
"The survey received a total of 312 responses," Butterfield
told the Appropriations Committee. "These responses
have been consolidated into this report. While there
is some duplication in some responses, there was benefit
in seeing the total number. Also, some that appear to
be duplicative have additional detail that may prove
helpful. Each response is provided in the person's own
words."
In order to protect the identity of our members who
responded to the survey, we assigned a unique identification
number to each completed survey. This way, if any additional
information is needed or questions to be asked, we can
get that information, but the state has to contact the
union for that to take place.
Butterfield reminded the Appropriations Committee of
the state's program to provide a monetary reward to
state workers for ideas that result in cost savings
to state government. On behalf of those who responded
to the survey, Butterfield asked that if any of the
ideas contained in our report prove to result in savings,
that the Appropriations Committee notify us of the unique
identification number attached to the particular survey
response so that those members can be recognized for
their efforts.
Click on the cover
thumbnail to the left for the survey results
The report is divided into four sections, each with
its own link, because these are big files:
