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MTA urges action on revised Springfield bill

The Springfield Fiscal Relief Bill (HB 4799) has been scheduled for consideration by the House and Senate for mid-week.

Unfortunately, the bill filed by the governor goes far beyond previously passed legislation intended to assist cities that were experiencing serious fiscal distress. Past fiscal relief legislation gave either a receiver or fiscal control board sufficient emergency powers to address the emergency without stripping the public employees in those cities of their statutory employee benefits or collective bargaining protections. Unfortunately, HB 4799 does deprive Springfield employees of such rights and benefits.

We ask that a substitute bill be supported restoring workers' rights and benefits and allowing the proposed fiscal control board to work with employee representatives under terms of their contracts in restoring the city's fiscal crisis. In addition, the substitute bill would preclude the city from redirecting required school spending for non-school use.

The substitute bill, which has the support of all unions affected, mirrors legislation enacted in 1991 for the city of Chelsea. Springfield's mayor and legislative delegation also support substitution. Given the circumstances, this option is the preferable way to resolve this crisis.