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MSEA-SEIU Local 1989
65 State Street
PO Box 1072
Augusta, ME 04332-1072
207-622-3151
1-800-452-8794

MAINE STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

SEIU Local 1989

MSEA-SEIU Members:

Hundreds of Ways to Help Balance the State Budget

State Representative John Martin, left, talks with MSEA-SEIU Interim Executive Director Steve Butterfield and MSEA-SEIU Legislative and Political Director Mary Anne Turowski about the hundreds of cost-saving ideas suggested by MSEA-SEIU members.

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:

  • Cost savings suggestions that can make state agencies or departments or the work that state workers do more efficient;
  • Suggestions from those whose jobs brings in revenue to the state budget on how to increase that revenue stream;
  • Suggestions regarding taxes or any other type of revenue increases;
  • Specific examples of contracting out that appear to be wasteful or questionable.

Given the size of some of these electronic files, it may take some time to download based on your connecting speed.