Bills on State Financial Accountability

States have the responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used in a fiscally responsible manner and not squandered. Some states are considering legislation that prohibits public and private employers from using taxpayer dollars to influence their workers about unionization, thus maximizing scarce funding for programs that deliver critical services to state residents. A federal appeals court recently upheld California’s law forbidding employers that receive state grant or program funds from using those funds to “assist, promote or deter” union organizing.

• At least seven states are expected to consider financial accountability bills in 2007.

For more information, please e-mail stateaction@aflcio.org.