What’s that you say? (Part 1):
Various media outlets across Pennsylvania report that 102 state legislators have sent a letter to the Penn State administration “to exercise neutrality” in an effort by Penn State faculty to unionize.
It contains all the supposed yada-yada-yada “benefits” of unionization and, also this:
“(L)egislators asked Penn State to spend no state funds, taxpayer dollars or tuition dollars ‘on union-avoidance tactics’ or engage with ‘union-avoidance firms.’”
But by their very letter, these legislators have used state funds, which are taxpayer dollars (and, money being fungible, perhaps tuition dollars?), to advocate for faculty unionization at Penn State.
So much for them exercising “neutrality,” eh?
For its part, Penn State has a web site – www.unionfacts.psu.edu – (origin of how it’s paid for not disclosed) that states it recognizes and respects “the rights of employees to seek information, ask questions and engage in lawful organizing and bargaining activities.”
“We’ve established this website to provide information and context during an active period of organizing and bargaining so that faculty and graduate students can stay informed.”
But it also reminds that it is “critical that faculty take time to educate themselves and to vote. Because the outcome is determined by a majority of votes cast – not a majority of all eligible faculty – a small group of voters could decide the issue for our institution and for thousands of our faculty now and into the future.”
“So, for example,” the PSU administration says, “if only 10 faculty members vote, those 10 individuals would decide the outcome for everyone.”
Gee, dare we say this? Could it possibly be that Penn State is worried that union organizers might fear how a true majority of faculty feel about unionization and that union organizers/leaders might try to suppress the vote to win the day with a minority of the majority.
Nah, no union would ever dream of doing that, right?
What’s that you say? (Part 2):
The Post-Gazette reports that Allegheny County Executive (ACE) Sara Innamorato “announced a new initiative Thursday that will provide $4 million in funding to strengthen local business districts across the county.”
Her program is called “Main Streets Allegheny” and “will bring together money from grants, loans and district-level investments to help municipalities create vibrant community spaces,” the P-G reports.
In a news release, Innamorato says “Strong main streets are essential to strong communities. They’re where small businesses grow, neighbors connect, and local pride shows up every day.
“‘Main Streets Allegheny’ reflects our commitment to investing in the places that matter most,” she says.
There will be $1.6 million in small business grants, loans and technical assistance that will provide financial assistance for small businesses within main street districts; $1 million in funding for physical improvements for district-level projects, including public art and streetscapes, as well as $1 million to support events and activities that will attract residents to business districts and increase foot traffic.
“An additional $500,000 will be used to provide support to help communities plan and implement revitalization strategies,” the P-G reports.
Here’s a better idea:
How about giving those “main street” businesses that want to participate in such an effort the opportunity to pay for it themselves — with a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on their county property taxes?
After all that would be the same kind of “strategic investment” that county Economic Development Director Lauren Connelly says will help “municipalities and business districts strengthen the local corridors that anchor their communities and ensure their Main Streets remain active, resilient, attractive and positioned for long-term success,” right?
Why is there a need for a government middleman?
And just think of the program overhead that would be reduced or outright eliminated.
You betcha!
Colin McNickle is communications and marketing director at the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy (cmcnickle@alleghenyinstitute.org).
