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December 19, 2008 |
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Friday, December 19, 2008
AFL-CIO
praises Labor Secretary nomination
AFL-CIO
President John Sweeney today praised President-elect Obama’s
reported plan to appoint Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) as secretary of labor.
Read more.
► Today from AP -- Immigrants' daughter Solis to lead Labor Dept. -- Hilda Solis grew up on tales of workplace struggles from her Mexican immigrant father, a Teamsters steward. Her mother, born in Nicaragua, worked on an assembly line. As a Democratic congresswoman from California since 2001 and during eight years in the state's Legislature before that, Solis wrote measures to help migrant workers, combat domestic violence and limit use of pesticides.
► In today's NY Times -- Picks for labor, trade positions disagree on policy -- Obama appears to have sought to appeal to each side in the battle over free trade. Solis, a longtime labor advocate who has been skeptical about free-trade agreements, while Kirk, a lawyer with a political bent, has spoken out in favor of the NAFTA.
Gov. Gregoire's budget proposal:
►
In today's Olympian -- Pay
raises, public aid, schools face cuts in next state budget
-- Gov. Chris Gregoire proposes a no-new-taxes budget that would make deep
cuts in general spending, eliminate pay increases for public employees and
reduce the state's health care safety net and money for schools.
► In today's Olympian -- State workers face adjustment to lean times -- State workers will feel pain from Gov. Gregoire's proposed budget in the form of layoffs, pension changes and no pay raises.
WFSE Executive Director Greg Devereux says she didn't consider enough options: "I don't know why her no-new-revenue pledge wasn't on the table if our contracts were on the table."► In today's Spokesman-Review -- Lawmakers mixed on spending proposal -- The all-cuts budget proposal draws praise from Republicans and “wait and see” comments from fellow Democrats.
► More local reaction to Gov. Gregoire's budget proposal from the AP, The Bellingham Herald, The (Everett) Herald, The Kitsap Sun, The Olympian, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, The Seattle Times, The (Spokane) Spokesman-Review, The Tri-City Herald, The (Vancouver) Columbian, and The (Wenatchee) World.
► In today's Columbian -- Grinch Gregoire (editorial) -- In many cases the governor wants to suspend or delay spending, not kill the costs or programs altogether. In other words, she wants to wait until we have the money, which is yet another common-sense plank in her bold budget platform.
► In today's Seattle P-I -- State budget: Pain and suffering (editorial) -- Gregoire's proposal is the start of a conversation, not the end. Lawmakers must find ways to minimize its negative impacts.
► In today's Everett Herald -- Gregoire's budget plan: Painful, but responsible (editorial) -- We applaud the governor for sticking to her oft-repeated campaign pledge to oppose higher taxes.
► In today's Seattle Times -- Legislature starts with a lot fewer journalists -- During the past 15 years, the state population has increased by 25%. Yet the number of print, television and radio journalists covering the Legislature full time has dropped by about 70%.
Local news:
► In today's Seattle P-I -- State's iconic ferry system may be in for big changes -- Depending on what vision takes hold, there could be less service, smaller boats and counties could be asked to pick up part of the load by running foot ferries. The system as it exists, with current financing is "not financially sustainable," says WSF chief David Moseley.
National news:
► Today from AP -- Bailout approved: Automakers to get $17.4 billion -- Citing danger to the national economy, the Bush administration approves an emergency bailout of the U.S. auto industry, offering $17.4 billion in rescue loans in exchange for deep concessions from the desperately troubled carmakers and their workers. The government will have the option of becoming a stockholder in the companies, in effect partially nationalizing the industry.
► Today from AP -- Franken opens first lead in Minn. Senate race -- Democrat Al Franken edges ahead of Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in the U.S. Senate recount in Minnesota.
► In today's NY Times -- The Madoff economy (Paul Krugman column) -- A vast riches achieved by those who managed other people’s money have had a corrupting effect on our society.
FRIDAY,
DECEMBER 19, 2008
AFL-CIO praises Obama's pick for Labor Secretary
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney today praised President-elect Barack Obama’s reported plan to appoint Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) as secretary of labor. In a statement, Sweeney says:
She’s proven to be a passionate leader and advocate for all working families. In fact, she’s voted with working men and women 97 percent of the time.
A member of Congress since 2001, Solis co-authored the Green Jobs Act, which later became part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The Green Jobs Act authorized $125 million for workforce training programs targeted to veterans, displaced workers, at-risk youth and individuals in families under 200 percent of the federal poverty line.
Sierra Club President Carl Pope says Solis was one of the earliest and most vocal House supporters of green jobs.
We can think of no better person to help President-elect Obama implement his plans for an economic recovery fueled by the creation of millions of new green jobs. Hilda Solis also understands that green jobs must also be good jobs and has worked to make sure that the clean-energy economy is one that lifts up all workers.
Solis also voted for and supports the Employee Free Choice Act.
Sweeney adds:
The AFL-CIO looks forward to working with Rep. Solis as she charts new territory for our nation’s working men and women.
Copyright © 2008 -- Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO