WHEREAS:
It is crucial that AFSCME participate to the fullest extent possible in the 2008 election to protect the jobs, wages, benefits and working conditions of AFSCME members across this nation; and

WHEREAS:
In addition to it being a presidential election year, at least 33 U.S. Senate seats, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and numerous state and local offices will be up for election; and

WHEREAS:
Changes in federal campaign laws and many state campaign laws have restricted the use of dues money for political purposes and have also made it increasingly difficult for labor unions to raise the needed voluntary political dollars; and

WHEREAS:
Business and right-wing organizations that oppose labor's interests will continue to spend millions of dollars against us, and our ability to fight anti-labor interests depends on a well-funded PEOPLE program; and

WHEREAS:
The 21st Century Committee, recognizing the importance of the PEOPLE program, recommended that the union set a goal that 25 percent of all members be MVP contributors ($100 a year), which results in $35 million in annual PEOPLE contributions; and

WHEREAS:
AFSCME PEOPLE currently raises about $13 million an election cycle or $6.5 million a year, so to raise the political resources necessary by 2008 we need to double our fundraising in 2007 and increase it by an additional 15 percent in 2008; and

WHEREAS:
The best way to reach this goal is for all affiliates to make AFSCME PEOPLE contributions a priority, especially through the use of payroll deduction at the MVP level.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME adopt as a 2008 national election cycle goal to raise $30 million in voluntary political dollars; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will allocate a portion of per capita taxes to be used to make political contributions and expenditures for political programs in any state where it is permissible by law to do so; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That affiliates will make it a top priority to reach this goal along with the PEOPLE program goals recommended by the 21st Century Committee that we raise $35 million in voluntary political dollars by 2010.
 
 
SUBMITTED BY:  INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD