A multi-agency group of SEIU Arizona’s State Chapter members participated in what State Representative Pete Hershberger called an “inside-baseball tour of the Arizona legislature’s budget process.” 
Rep. Hershberger (R, District 26), along with fellow State Representatives David Lujan (D, District 15) and Jackie Thrasher (D, District 10) came to the Phoenix headquarters of SEIU Arizona earlier this month to familiarize members with the entire budget process – from the initial submission of budget requests through the signed final budget the following year.

Understanding the process is the first key step towards influencing the outcome.  Each of the speakers defined aspects of the budget negotiations and offered concrete suggestions about how state employees can best advocate for the improvements in wages and benefits that we deserve.

“You need to know who you can influence and where to best spend your time,” suggested Rep. Lujan.  “There’s a group of legislators who support you, a group who never will, and those in the middle.  That’s where you should focus your energy.”

All three members agreed that personal stories really make the difference.  “Know your story,” said Rep. Hershberger, adding that individuals and delegations “must be succinct” in their presentation as there is always a limited amount of time to speak with members. 

“Listening to the three legislators – two Democrats and one Republican – on the state budget process was quite revealing,” said Arcelious Stephens, Brownfield Coordinator for DEQ.  “It gave us some good ideas about how to affect input into the budget in favor of state employees.  It was a very good event.”

Late in the last legislative session, state employees met with a third of the members of the legislature to lobby for an increase in wages to be included in the budget.  More than 1,200 employees signed flyers in support while more than 600 calls were made to targeted representatives.This year, members will be involved right from the start, establishing relationships with supportive members, seeking allies inside and outside the workplace and putting the hard data together to reinforce our arguments.

The state employees were pleased to hear strong words of support from the legislators, all of whom have experience working in the public sector.  “If compensation for state employees is not competitive, it impacts the worker and the quality of services provided,” said Rep. Thrasher.

Reps. Hershberger and Lujan both agreed.  “As a former state employee, I know the importance of having good pay and benefits for our state workers,” said David Lujan.  “It reflects the importance of the role they play in the state.”