WHEREAS:

Cutting taxes at the same time we are trying to balance the federal budget is foolish and shortsighted; and

WHEREAS:

The pain of spending cuts proposed by Congress already falls disproportionately on middle-income and working families; and

WHEREAS:

The proposed spending cuts will destroy the social safety net for those Americans who are at the greatest risk of economic dislocation; and

WHEREAS:

The families who would be hurt the most by the proposed spending cuts have not shared equally the benefits of economic growth over the last 20 years; and

WHEREAS:

These families' incomes have not kept pace with rising prices, leading to a declining standard of living and increasing levels of debt; and

WHEREAS:

Those who would benefit the most from the tax cuts proposed by Congress have seen their incomes and wealth rise at the same time their tax burden has fallen; and

WHEREAS:

The federal budget should be balanced by asking for sacrifice from those who can best afford to offer it, not on the backs of families who are struggling to make ends meet.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge the American people, the United States Congress, and the President of the United States to oppose federal tax breaks that benefit the wealthiest Americans at the expense of middle-income and working families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME support federal budget strategies that require the wealthy and corporate interests to shoulder their fair share of the burden of balancing the budget, while maintaining a strong safety net for displaced workers and families living in poverty; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME opposes any federal tax changes that would have the effect of increasing the federal deficit.

SUBMITTED BY:

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD