AFSCME Maryland Fights Against Public Service Cuts for Billionaire Gains

SILVER SPRING, Md. – Maryland public service workers have made a clear call to Congress: do not reduce critical public services to fund tax cuts for billionaires.

In a recent town hall, AFSCME Maryland Council 3 members, alongside AFSCME President Lee Saunders, Council 3 President Patrick Moran, and Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, united against proposals from anti-union congressional and White House factions. These proposals threaten to cut essential public services to benefit the wealthiest through tax reductions.

Federal funding constitutes nearly 30% of Maryland's total revenue, with a substantial amount sourced from Medicaid. This program is vital for providing health care and services to low-income individuals, children, disabled persons, veterans, and the elderly in Maryland.

Participants in the town hall cautioned that any reductions in this funding could severely impact public services, including education, health care, and infrastructure, affecting all residents in the state.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders stated, “What we are witnessing is Project 2025 come to life. These billionaires are determined to kill our jobs, crush our freedoms and raid public services to enrich themselves. And let’s face it: too many in Congress are doing their bidding.” He highlighted the importance of resisting these changes through the AFSCME GO campaign, emphasizing the need to prevent Congress from enriching the wealthy at the expense of working families.

Patrick Moran expressed gratitude towards lawmakers who stand with workers. “We are grateful to have leaders like Congressman Jamie Raskin who are standing up for Maryland’s working people in the face of continuous attacks on our civil service and the essential public services our communities rely on,” Moran said. He stressed the union's commitment to fight against staff shortages, unsafe work conditions, and delays in public services.

Congressman Jamie Raskin voiced his opposition to the cuts, advocating for a government that serves the working-class majority over the interests of the wealthy elite. He stated, “In the 21st century, there’s no labor movement without democracy and there’s no democracy without the labor movement.” He remarked on the threat posed by the proposed cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, describing them as a betrayal of American democracy.