President's Message
It is that Time Again
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| CPF President Lou Paulson |
The new year has started and 2009 will quickly fall away in the rear view mirror as we head into 2010. I know we have said this before, in different times and on different issues but believe me when I say it again: 2010 is a pivotal year for all of us.
Let me give you an idea why.
First it is the economy. In California the recession is not over. Public agencies are still feeling and will be feeling the pain of an economic calamity unlike any of us has ever seen in this state (or any other, for that matter).
The shrinking state revenue will put continued pressure on services, mutual aid, wages, hours and working conditions for our brothers and sisters who work for the state. It will also have Sacramento looking for ways to find revenue from local government. All of this puts our ability to save lives and protect property in jeopardy.
Complicating the basic threat posed by the fragile economy is the renewed focus on retirement security.
Our enemies are pulling their playbook on how to attack our hard-won benefits. Ballot measures have been filed that would devastate our pension benefits. Proposals are being floated to eviscerate the health care security of active and retired firefighters. As usual, none of these "reforms" address where are our members would go to be treated, or what happened to all of the concessions that we made to get these benefits.
As if this all weren't enough, we once again face a renewed effort to silence the voices of firefighters and other middle class families by trying to choke off your access to the political process.
These renewed efforts follow the same well-worn path trod by other defeated and discredited efforts. In 1998, voters said a resounding NO to Proposition 226. Seven years later, they again said NO when Governor Schwarzenegger tried to muzzle your voice with Proposition 75.
Clearly, the voters have spoken. But that doesn't matter to our enemies; they want to eliminate our ability to defend ourselves from attacks so they can control our future. It's a new take on the "Golden Rule" : Those with the gold want to keep you from having a voice in making the rules.
Against the backdrop of this turmoil, 2010 is an election year. The governor's race will be pivotal on how many of these issues will be addressed over the next four years. Our ability to support a candidate that supports our key issues that will defend firefighters, public employees, organized labor and working families from these ruthless attacks is paramount for 2010.
I will tell you that your CPF Executive Board is focused on the challenges on 2010. Through our legislative and political action, we will be fighting to protect our mutual aid system and stop local governments from capricious bankruptcy filings designed with the sole purpose of evading the hard work of budget balancing.
We know the stakes are high. We will be communicating to you all year ... through this newspaper, our website, on Facebook and yes, even Twitter. We are also launching Firevision - a bi-weekly video podcast. This new feature is designed to keep you up to date on what your union and your profession are doing. Whether it's in Sacramento or in your hometown, you need to know what's happening and how it affects you.
As always, your role is critical. Through your local union, you can have an impact on these events, and help all of us work for a better future for you and your families.
Thank you for your support and be safe.