WHEREAS:
Annual capital investments in highways, public transit, water and sewer systems, airports, ports and school buildings are tens of billions of dollars short of what is required to meet our nation’s needs; and

WHEREAS:
Next year Congress will consider surface transportation financing legislation and other infrastructure finance proposals, including an infrastructure bank; and

WHEREAS:
Many of these proposals will likely include some form of public-private partnerships; and

WHEREAS:
Current law does not sufficiently protect the jobs, collective bargaining rights and working conditions of workers when a public-private partnership is created; and

WHEREAS:
Public employee pension funds are exploring investments in public infrastructure because of long-term, stable cash flows which complement their benefit obligations.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME support infrastructure funding initiatives that:

• provide for the improvement of existing and construction of new infrastructure that will be designed, inspected, operated and maintained by public entities and public employees,
• strengthen the economic, fiscal and environmental health of America’s metropolitan areas,  and
• ensure that investments in rebuilding America’s infrastructure do not come at the expense of the workers who presently keep it working; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME oppose funding initiatives that:

• subsidize or otherwise encourage the sale or lease of public infrastructure to private investors or
• subsidize or otherwise encourage public-private partnerships that will result in private control or operation of public assets; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME encourage our members’ pension plans to make diversified, direct investments in public infrastructure and to adopt investment policies that are based on these principles.
 
 
SUBMITTED BY: Mike Buesing, President and Delegate
Mary Falk, Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME