It’s time to put a face on what a payless payday(s) means to you. Let your state senator and state representative know what impact no paycheck has on you and your family.
*Send a letter; call; e-mail – do it today and do it often. Tell them about:
Missed mortgage / rent
Missed car payments
Missed utility bills
Missed tuition
Late fees added on to bills and credit cards
No cash for daycare services
No cash for prescriptions
Buy gas so I can get to work, or buy food to feed my family?
Lapsing home, auto and life insurance
Credit rate in jeopardy
*Contact your staff representative or District Council if you need help with contact information for your state senator and state representative.
C13 has put together a script to help you. If you feel more comfortable reading the script as is, please do so. If you want to add your personal hardships that would result from payless paydays (such as those mentioned above) that’s even better:
"Hello, my name is _________________________ and I live in _____________, PA.
As a hard working Commonwealth employee and a proud AFSCME member, I cannot understand why my elected officials continue to hold state employees hostage. Putting a budget into place has nothing to do with workers, yet every summer state employees are forced to carry the burden of your battle.
This must stop.
(if you wish, insert personal hardships here)
Please put a good and fair budget into place before employees are forced to work without pay.
I know that passing SB850 could create 3,000 additional furloughs and a dangerous reduction in public safety. This is not acceptable!
A personal income tax increase of less than $5.00 a week will create funding for the next 3 years – without more furloughs! Pennsylvania has the 3rd lowest PIT in the nation. This is a reasonable solution.
Taxing smokeless tobacco is also a good idea. We are the only state in the union that does not tax smokeless tobacco!
Removing thousands of consumers from Pennsylvania's economy for an indefinite period not only affects me (and my family), but local grocers, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses.
Options are available. Compromise is critical.
Please pass a budget NOW!"
