Political Freedom Gives State Employees

The Power They Need To Fight For Higher Wages,

Better Benefits and Improved Working Conditions!

THE GAME:

Have you ever noticed how the people who are the most politically connected are the ones that get the good promotions and salary increases? Did you ever wonder why, in state government,  doing a good job doesn’t always lead to career advancement? The problem is POLITICS!  Politics is a game that limits the number of players and only allows those employees who are already politically connected to play.  Those employees who aren't allowed to play will never win!

That’s why KASE/AFT is supporting Political Freedom. Political Freedom allows YOU to choose if you want to play the political game. Political Freedom will also protect your rights as a state employee if you choose to play.  Political Freedom is a fairness issue that protects every state employee's right NOT to get involved in politics if they don’t want to. Political Freedom takes away the political advantage that some privileged patronage employees have and creates a level, fair, playing field for ALL state merit employees.

WHY POLITICAL FREEDOM?

Each legislative session, state employees have to compete with powerful big money special interest groups for their share of budgetary funds for salary increases, benefits and program funding. Your legislators have to make tough decisions on how the state budget is spent. These special interest groups get active in local and state politics and support candidates who support their issues. They also oppose candidates who don’t support their issues. Legislators have to choose between helping groups that keep them in office or groups like state employees that can’t do anything for, or against, them. POLITICAL FREEDOM makes state employees and our issues more important to politicians.

WHAT ABOUT PROTECTIONS FROM POLITICAL ABUSE?

KASE would never support a bill that would hurt state employees. KASE/AFT  has done research for more than ten years on the issue of political freedom, we believe that the protective language in our POLITICAL FREEDOM bill is some of the strongest in the nation. Our POLITICAL FREEDOM Bill is modeled after legislation in other states where state employees already enjoy political freedom, a strong merit system and protection from political abuse. POLITICAL FREEDOM will prohibit politicians or political parties from soliciting money or support from state employees. If politicians violate the provisions of POLITICAL FREEDOM they could loose their office, go to jail and be fined. More than 40 other states have passed legislation similar to our POLITICAL FREEDOM legislation. This bill also mirrors the current federal employee protections.

YES! In Kentucky, city, county, public school, university and post-secondary state vocational and community college employees ALL have the right to participate in politics during their non-work hours.

The ONLY Kentuckians who are forbidden from participating in political activity are convicted felons and state merit employees.

Help Us Fight For Better Salaries, Benefits and Working

Conditions Through Political Action!

Call Your State Legislators TODAY at 1-800-372-7181

Ask Them To Support Political Freedom For ALL State Employees!