THE NAPE CONNECTION

The NAPE Connection is meant to highlight important news releases, events, grievance decisions, contract information, and upcoming activities. Our hope is that individuals will get connected, not only with their Union, but with each other.

Heinemans New Tax Proposal and Why Its Important The governor has made recent comments regarding his plans for the upcoming legislative session as it relates to taxes. As it currently stands, the governor has hinted that he may look to eliminate individual and corporate income tax, similar to the proposals passed in Kansas and defeated in Okalahoma. While this might sound an appealing idea to Nebraskas struggling families, remember the saying, If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is This is the second installment of a series of articles exploring how the budget works and why the eliminiation of personal and corporate income tax is a bad idea, no matter how the governor attempts to spin it. Part 2: Where We Stand Now As stated in an earlier article, the elimination of 56% of the states revenue, via personal and corporate income tax, would seriously hamper the states ability to pay for essential services. Whats more, the state of Nebraska has seen a continuous revenue shortfall, and the problem really comes down to a structural deficit. In the last six budget cycles (FY01-02 to FY12-13), the legislature has faced a budget gap requiring some sort of action. Yet, state government has saw fit to reduce revenue by passing tax cuts in three of the six biennia and increasing or adding new tax expenditures in all six biennia. We know that the Nebraska state budget has progressively shrunk, and major impacts have been seen in education, health care, transportation, and infrastructure (See the July NAPE Connections article on the Omaha World Hearlds Nebraskas shrinking government).

We know that some people celebrate a shrinking government, but a shrinking government has seriously implications for state employees and the citizens of Nebraska. We already do more with less. Nebraska state employees are working harder and longer hours to keep up with this starve state government tactic. The elimination of personal and corporate income tax will undoubtedly put more pressure on you and your coworkers to cut corners and merely get by. Only a handful of states currently go without collecting a personal income tax. Most of these states, however, are currently in the midst of record shortfalls. Nevada, a state without income tax, has the highest deficit in the nation. In the last biennium, another state without income tax, Texas, saw a $26 billion shortfall. Washington State faced a $5.1 billion deficit, and Florida is facing a $3.6 billion deficit in its current fiscal year. Closer to home, South Dakota is confronting a shortfall of more than $127 million. All of these shortfalls/deficits are resulting in major cuts to public education, basic public services, and infrastructure. The reliance exclusively on sales tax is a dangerous road to takejust think back to the economic downturn that started in 2008 and from which we are only now just starting to recover ever so slightly. Should the most necessary responsibilities of state government be left to consumer confidence? And this doesnt even begin to consider the unfair structure of sales tax for the low and middle class. Look for Part 3: The Problem with Sales Tax next month, when we look at why relying only on sales tax isnt a fair or responsible way to pay for state government.

Volume 1, Number 4

September 2012

(NO)AccessNebraska Back in the Spotlight It isnt a secret that the conversion by DHHS to AccessNebraska hasnt been as smooth or successful as the agency had hoped. Problems with access, delays in service, and lost documentation are just the tip of the icebergfrustrations of workers, the loss of tenured employees, and the high turnover being experienced statewide all lurk in the undercurrent. There have been recent articles in both the Omaha World Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star turning the spotlight back to the problems (and consequences) of AccessNebraska. On July 30, 2012, Martha Stoddard, wrote, Nebraskas food stamp errors carry high cost. Stoddard explained: Three years ago, the leader of the state employees' union predicted that Nebraska would jeopardize its string of federal performance bonuses by using call centers to handle public benefits applications. This year, for the first time in at least nine years, Nebraska had too many errors in handling food stamps to qualify for a bonus. In the article, the agency acknowledges the failure to meet federal standards and the loss of the bonus, attributing it to significant worker turnover and the time needed to learn new ways of doing business. These problems were anticipated years ago, when AccessNebraska was just a twinkle in the agencys eye. In fall 2008, the official announcement was made. In 2009, document imaging and site selection began. And in the fall of 2010, the Lincoln Customer Service Center was born. In the almost two years since clients first had the pleasure of dealing with call center-style interviews and applications for benefits, the kinks have yet to be ironed out. Experienced workers are increasingly becoming the target of Performance Improvement Plans in perpetuity and disciplinary action. So while it would make sense when Stoddard maintains, Experience helps as workers deal with often-complex rules for state and federal public benefits programs, such as food stamps, Medicaid, energy assistance and aid to the aged, blind and disabled, agency heads seems to view these experienced workers as a hindrance to efficiency.

Tenured workers ask too many questions and offer too much assistanceand cant answer nearly the number of calls the agency demands. On August 8, 2012, the editor of the Lincoln Journal Star wrote, Employees are continuing to leave because of what they see as a focus on quantity, not quality at the call centers. And in Stoddards article, she claims, Of the 400 call center workers, about 70 percent have less than 18 months' experience. Poor performance by workers doesnt seem to be the states problem. Demanding quantity over quality service, the loss of experienced workers, poor worker morale, and a poorly managed transition are all to blame for a rise in error rates and decline of the agency.

Contract Provision of the Month: NAPE Membership Strangely, there seems to be a lack of understanding in terms of who is and who is not a member of NAPE by some state employees, as well as some management. To clarify, all employees within the bargaining unit are covered by the NAPE contract; however, non-dues paying state employees are not Union members. Per the NAPE Membership Rights, The term member includes the members of the contracted bargaining units who pay dues to the Nebraska Association of Public Employees. AND 2.5 Dues Deduction: Upon receipt of a voluntary written individual authorization order from any of its employees covered by this Contract on forms provided by the Union, the Employer will deduct from the pay due such employee those dues required as the employees membership dues in the Union.
If you ever have anything you would like to see included in The NAPE Connection, please forward your stories and suggestions to cfogale@nape.afscme.org

NAPE/AFSCME Local 61 5625 O Street, Suite 10 Lincoln, NE 68510 (800) 522-6273 www.napeafscme.org

Volume 1, Number 4

September 2012