[HumanRightsAtlanta] Stop Cuts in Social Spending and the Public Sector - Atlanta Public Sector Alliance

Atlanta Public Sector Alliance

542 Moreland Ave. SE  ▪  Atlanta, Ga. 30316

Phone: 404-401-8817,  Fax: 404-627-5016,  email: terencecourtney@yahoo.com

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 For information, contact:

January 12, 2011                                                                    Terence Courtney, 404-401-8817

New Report Finds Conservative Policies Worsen Racial Economic Gap,
Hit Black And Latino Communities the Hardest

State of the Dream 2011: Austerity for Whom?

Atlanta, Ga – Conservative attacks on government, public sector workers, social safety nets and the progressive tax system widen the racial economic divide because they disproportionately harm Blacks and Latinos, according to a new report. These findings were released today by United for a Fair Economy inState of the Dream 2011: Austerity for Whom?, released in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 

“Through their policy proposals, Republican leaders – at all levels of government – are suggesting that we postpone not only the recovery, but also the prospect of a better future,” said Brian Miller, Executive Director of United for a Fair Economy and co-author of the report. “GOP austerity measures will ratchet down the standard of living for all Americans, while simultaneously widening our nation’s racial and economic divide.”

Because of policy making by Democrats and Republicans, Georgians face teacher and state employee furloughs, MARTA layoffs and service cuts, the closing of the dialysis clinic at Grady, tuition and fee hikes in the University System of Georgia, and eliminating CTRAN service.  These are just a few examples of the attacks on our human rights. Economists project a $1 billion deficit in the state’s 2011 budget. So, we can expect things to get even worse. Regardless, our public institutions and state government have a moral responsibility to respect, protect, and fulfill our human rights.

State of the Dream 2011 documents show the conservative agenda increases economic inequality and deepens the racial divide. Forty-two years after Martin Luther King’s death, Blacks earn only 57 cents, and Latinos 59 cents, to each dollar Whites earn. The tax cuts advocated by conservatives will worsen this divide by flowing disproportionately to wealthy White households, while the proposed cuts to social safety nets and the public sector work force will disproportionately harm African-Americans and Latinos,particularly women of color. Notable findings from the report include:

• Tax Cuts: New data in State of the Dream 2011 document that Whites are 3 times as likely as Blacks, and 4.6 times as likely as Latinos, to benefit from income tax cuts for those earning over $250,000.

• Public Sector Jobs: Blacks are 1.3 times as likely to work in a state government job than the general workforce, and 1.7 times as likely to work for the federal government in particular. Additionally, Blacks and Latinos are more likely to achieve professional parity there due to civil rights protections unique to the public sector.

• Job Creation: With an official unemployment rate of 15.8% for Blacks, 13% for Latinos, and 8.5% for Whites, Republican opposition to public investments and direct job creation programs disproportionately hurts Blacks and Latinos, while hindering the recovery from the Great Recession for the entire economy. 

• Social Safety Net: Financial cushions allow families to survive un- and under- employment; Blacks hold only 10 cents of net wealth, and Latinos hold 12 cents of net wealth, for every dollar that Whites hold, making unemployment insurance, Social Security and public assistance vital to the economic well being of these groups. Among retirement age adults, for example, 60% of Blacks and 65% of Latinos depend on Social Security for over 80% percent of their income, compared to only 46% of Whites. 

The report calls for more protection of government employees, who perform valuable functions for society, and additional federal aid to the states. Georgia received $3.4 billion dollars in stimulus funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, which saved or created 26,086 jobs. Similar job-saving stimulus from the federal government, combined with state-level progressive tax reform, will help Georgiaaddress its racial wealth disparities.

We must be clear that the profit motive or market operations - with their inherent injustice - have no place in government or the public sector. We must build a people’s movement to protect and revitalize this essential part of our society which is the basis for civilization. We have to overcome the single-issue fragmentation that currently exists between our issues. We must rely on ourselves and the power of our organization to defeat these attacks and hold our leaders accountable. TOGETHER, WE CAN WIN!   

The Atlanta Public Sector Alliance (APSA) is an organization individuals and community, worker and religious organizations who strive to improve the human rights of all.  Through our Human Rights Charter Campaign, we use public education, persuasion, and movement building to hold Metro Atlanta accountable to human rights principles and standards as it relates to numerous issues including but not limited to public health, housing, education, and transportation.  More at:  www.atlantapublicsectoralliance.org