Latest news with #AFSCME
The Independent
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Judge says administration can dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services
A federal judge on Friday denied a request by the American Library Association to halt the Trump administration's further dismantling of an agency that funds and promotes libraries across the country, saying that recent court decisions suggested his court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon had previously agreed to temporarily block the Republican administration, saying that plaintiffs were likely to show that Trump doesn't have the legal authority to unilaterally shutter the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which was created by Congress. But in Friday's ruling, Leon wrote that as much as the 'Court laments the Executive Branch's efforts to cut off this lifeline for libraries and museums,' recent court decisions suggested that the case should be heard in a separate court dedicated to contractual claims. He cited the Supreme Court 's decision allowing the administration to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher-training money despite a lower court order barring the cuts, saying that cases seeking reinstatement of federal grants should be heard in the Court of Federal Claims. The American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a lawsuit to stop the administration from gutting the institute after President Donald Trump signed a March 14 executive order that refers to it and several other federal agencies as 'unnecessary.' The agency's appointed acting director then placed many agency staff members on administrative leave, sent termination notices to most of them, began canceling grants and contracts and fired all members of the National Museum and Library Services Board. The institute has roughly 75 employees and issued more than $266 million in grants last year. However, a Rhode Island judge's order prohibiting the government from shutting down the museum and library services institute in a separate case brought by several states remains in place. The administration is appealing that order as well.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Judge says administration can dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Friday denied a request by the American Library Association to halt the Trump administration's further dismantling of an agency that funds and promotes libraries across the country, saying that recent court decisions suggested his court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon had previously agreed to temporarily block the Republican administration, saying that plaintiffs were likely to show that Trump doesn't have the legal authority to unilaterally shutter the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which was created by Congress. But in Friday's ruling, Leon wrote that as much as the 'Court laments the Executive Branch's efforts to cut off this lifeline for libraries and museums,' recent court decisions suggested that the case should be heard in a separate court dedicated to contractual claims. He cited the Supreme Court's decision allowing the administration to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher-training money despite a lower court order barring the cuts, saying that cases seeking reinstatement of federal grants should be heard in the Court of Federal Claims. The American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a lawsuit to stop the administration from gutting the institute after President Donald Trump signed a March 14 executive order that refers to it and several other federal agencies as 'unnecessary.' The agency's appointed acting director then placed many agency staff members on administrative leave, sent termination notices to most of them, began canceling grants and contracts and fired all members of the National Museum and Library Services Board. The institute has roughly 75 employees and issued more than $266 million in grants last year. However, a Rhode Island judge's order prohibiting the government from shutting down the museum and library services institute in a separate case brought by several states remains in place. The administration is appealing that order as well.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Minnesota policy change takes effect as many state employees begin working in-office 50% of the time
A work policy requiring Minnesota state employees to be in the office for 50% of their workdays is now in effect, though some agencies are getting an extension to comply. The change went into effect on June 1, according to Julie Nelson, communications director with the Minnesota Department of Administration. Twelve agencies have been given extensions that range from mid-June to Sept. 2 due to space limitations or equipment needs, Nelson said. The Minnesota Department of Health's facility is undergoing "significant construction" and will adapt to the policy based on the construction schedule. There is an exemption for employees who live 75 miles or more away from their workplace. Gov. Tim Walz made the policy change in March, saying it balances the flexibility of working remotely with the "workplace advantages of being in office." There are 40,000 government employees, and Walz said in March that 60% of them were already back in-person or have continued to be since the pandemic upended workplaces and daily life five years ago. Unions representing tens of thousands of state employees said the change was made without their input. The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 5 said in March that they learned of the change when the rest of the public did. Megan Dayton, president of MAPE, said at that time the unions were considering a strike if there wasn't a reversal, but it wouldn't begin until June 30 — the date the current contract with the state expires.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Corrections union opposes closure of Stillwater prison
Unions representing correction officers and staff at the Stillwater state prison are calling for a halt to the plan to closure the facility. 'The proposed stated budget agreement that includes the closure of Stillwater Correctional Facility is not only shortsighted, it's downright dangerous, disruptive and deeply disrespectful to the workers that keep the community safe and the inmates safe,' said Bart Andersen, executive director of the American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees Council 5, at a press conference at the state Capitol on Friday. State officials said the move to close the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater addresses safety concerns concerning its aging infrastructure and will save more than $40 million annually. But union leaders said Friday that the closure leaves staff members' futures uncertain and poses safety risks to inmates, staff and the public. The prison houses some of the state's most dangerous offenders, said Dan Gorman, AFSCME vice president and chief steward. Moving them could overcrowd other facilities. 'It makes it very dangerous for the inmate population and for the staff that work in those facilities,' Gorman said. Union leaders also said they were left in the dark about the decision to close the facility, located in Bayport, and continue to have questions about the plans. A state study intended to look at closing the prison and advise lawmakers on it will apparently be unnecessary, they said. 'This move comes before the very study that was meant to inform a thoughtful and orderly closure of this facility,' said Megan Dayton, president of Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. 'That study was supposed to guide legislative decision making … now it's going to be conducted after incarcerated individuals are already being moved. That is not planning, that is scrambling. We have seen no bill language. We have seen no protections for staff. We have no clarity at all about staffing during this transition. We have no commitment on fair compensation or placement for workers who might not be able to transfer.' While state officials say a full-modernization or replacement of the Stillwater site would cost an estimated $1.3 billion, union members say low-cost improvements they have requested over the years have been ignored. From what union leaders have been told, part of the closure plan is reliant on the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act which allows inmates to earn earlier release, Dayton said. The MRRA, passed by the Legislature in 2023 as part of the public safety bill, allows qualified inmates to reduce their sentences. However, state officials have said inmates will not be released early as part of the closure. 'As part of this, we're not reducing population or releasing anyone to make this happen. This would be handled by … bed space and, again, phased over time,' Paul Schnell, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, said at a press conference Thursday. State officials have cited safety concerns for inmates and staff at the aging Stillwater facility when discussing its closure. Some union members questioned that assessment and what they described as a long-term underinvestment in the prison and in low-cost safety improvements. 'It appears to be a cost-savings measure right now. And in order to consolidate effectively, to deliver programming effectively, to correct behavior, you have to invest in it,' Dayton said. 'You have to spend money to rehabilitate people so that they can be functioning members of society again. And we have no guarantee that that's part of this plan.' The maximum security facility for adult male felons — built in 1914 — currently has 1,171 inmates. Its closure is expected by June 30, 2029, under the plan announced by state officials Thursday. Stillwater prison closure, immigrant care debate may imperil MN budget deal Stillwater prison to close as part of budget deal reached by state leaders Here's how a local nonprofit is connecting people with horses (for free) Stillwater Veterans Memorial to undergo $200K expansion St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour opens Friday at seven different studios
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Corrections union opposes closure of Stillwater prison
Unions representing correction officers and staff at the Stillwater state prison are calling for a halt to the plan to closure the facility. 'The proposed stated budget agreement that includes the closure of Stillwater Correctional Facility is not only shortsighted, it's downright dangerous, disruptive and deeply disrespectful to the workers that keep the community safe and the inmates safe,' said Bart Andersen, executive director of the American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees Council 5, at a press conference at the state Capitol on Friday. State officials said the move to close the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater addresses safety concerns concerning its aging infrastructure and will save more than $40 million annually. But union leaders said Friday that the closure leaves staff members' futures uncertain and poses safety risks to inmates, staff and the public. The prison houses some of the state's most dangerous offenders, said Dan Gorman, AFSCME vice president and chief steward. Moving them could overcrowd other facilities. 'It makes it very dangerous for the inmate population and for the staff that work in those facilities,' Gorman said. Union leaders also said they were left in the dark about the decision to close the facility, located in Bayport, and continue to have questions about the plans. A state study intended to look at closing the prison and advise lawmakers on it will apparently be unnecessary, they said. 'This move comes before the very study that was meant to inform a thoughtful and orderly closure of this facility,' said Megan Dayton, president of Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. 'That study was supposed to guide legislative decision making … now it's going to be conducted after incarcerated individuals are already being moved. That is not planning, that is scrambling. We have seen no bill language. We have seen no protections for staff. We have no clarity at all about staffing during this transition. We have no commitment on fair compensation or placement for workers who might not be able to transfer.' While state officials say a full-modernization or replacement of the Stillwater site would cost an estimated $1.3 billion, union members say low-cost improvements they have requested over the years have been ignored. From what union leaders have been told, part of the closure plan is reliant on the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act which allows inmates to earn earlier release, Dayton said. The MRRA, passed by the Legislature in 2023 as part of the public safety bill, allows qualified inmates to reduce their sentences. However, state officials have said inmates will not be released early as part of the closure. 'As part of this, we're not reducing population or releasing anyone to make this happen. This would be handled by … bed space and, again, phased over time,' Paul Schnell, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, said at a press conference Thursday. State officials have cited safety concerns for inmates and staff at the aging Stillwater facility when discussing its closure. Some union members questioned that assessment and what they described as a long-term underinvestment in the prison and in low-cost safety improvements. 'It appears to be a cost-savings measure right now. And in order to consolidate effectively, to deliver programming effectively, to correct behavior, you have to invest in it,' Dayton said. 'You have to spend money to rehabilitate people so that they can be functioning members of society again. And we have no guarantee that that's part of this plan.' The maximum security facility for adult male felons — built in 1914 — currently has 1,171 inmates. Its closure is expected by June 30, 2029, under the plan announced by state officials Thursday. Stillwater prison closure, immigrant care debate may imperil MN budget deal Stillwater prison to close as part of budget deal reached by state leaders Here's how a local nonprofit is connecting people with horses (for free) Stillwater Veterans Memorial to undergo $200K expansion St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour opens Friday at seven different studios
