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AFSCME: Tax Increases Are Necessary
Furloughs, program cuts, even layoffs won't completely solve the state's budget deficit for the next fiscal year, which starts in two weeks. That's word from AFSCME, the largest union of state employees. AFSCME executive director Henry Bayer says after meeting with state government managers, he's renewing his call to state lawmakers -- especially Republicans -- to rush back to the Capitol to pass an income tax hike.

Bayer says only a tax hike would prevent massive cuts that will lead to layoffs in both state government ranks, and the ranks of private-sector service providers funded by the state. He says while everyone explored the idea of furloughs, he says it would save a pittance compared to a projected $9 billion deficit.

Bayer says the cuts and layoffs will be "unfathomable," and says most lawmakers probably didn't believe predictions that more than 10,000 state government workers would be cut.

(Illinois Radio Network)
06 16 09 by Newsroom
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