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Resolutions & Amendments

42nd International Convention - Las Vegas, NV (2016)

Infrastructure

Resolution No. 04
42nd International Convention
Las Vegas Convention Center
July 18 - 22, 2016
Las Vegas, NV

WHEREAS:

Capital and operating budgets for basic infrastructure are insufficient to meet current and projected requirements; and

WHEREAS:

Jobs in public infrastructure design, construction, operation and maintenance have historically served as a reliable pathway to the middle class for millions of working families; and

WHEREAS:

Politicians from both parties have encouraged greater private investment and control in public infrastructure, through legislation and regulatory action; and

WHEREAS:

These efforts and similar proposals at the state and local levels encourage privatization through public-private partnerships that fail to protect the jobs, collective bargaining rights, wage standards and working conditions of public workers; and

WHEREAS:

State and local governments engaged in public-private partnerships have failed to protect users and taxpayers from higher costs and poorly-designed contracts; and

WHEREAS:

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

WHEREAS:

Taxable municipal bonds such as Build America Bonds that provide a direct federal subsidy to the issuer, rather than a tax exemption to the investor, will attract investors such as public pension funds that receive no advantage from tax-exempt offerings.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME supports infrastructure funding and financing arrangements that:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME opposes funding and financing arrangements that:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME opposes the elimination of the interest tax exemption on municipal bonds and supports the reinstatement of a permanent version of the Build America Bonds program to attract pension funds and other tax-exempt investors while offering public owners an alternative to more costly private finance; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will advocate for increased federal aid, through a combination of grants and financing, to encourage greater public investment in the nation's infrastructure.

 

SUBMITTED BY: Ann M. Sulfridge, President and Delegate

Elizabeth A. Elliott, Secretary-Treasurer and Delegate

AFSCME Local 101, Council 8

Ohio