Texas state employees rally for pay raises, against CPS privatization
Hundreds of members of the Texas State Employees Union on Wednesday marched to the Capitol to push for pay raises and oppose the privatization of Child Protective Services and Gov. Greg Abbott’s hiring freeze.
The workers urged lawmakers to tap the state’s rainy day fund, which is projected to reach $11.9 billion in the next budget cycle, rather than make severe cuts to state agencies and public universities.
“Stop pretending like Texas is broke and start spending on services that actually help Texans like higher education, Medicaid, state supported living centers for the intellectually disabled, state hospitals for the mentally ill and protecting abused kids,” said Judy Lugo, president of the 11,000-member union, which is affiliated with the Communication Workers of America.
Speakers at the rally applauded plans in the House and Senate that would increase funding for the scandal-plagued Child Protective Services by more than $400 million but assailed an aspect of the reform plan that will privatize many foster care services.
Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/texas-state-employees-rally-for-pay-raises-against-cps-privatization/14rq5PbaFnxDkaNW3ABq4K/