Investment in public services demanded

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is mobilizing communities to advocate for schools and families, addressing pressures on working families and the need for public services investment. This mobilization is part of their nationwide "Protect Our Kids, Our Families and Our Communities" campaign. The AFT's advocacy includes fighting against reckless revenue cuts and lobbying to prevent offshoring of tax revenues. They also support defined-benefit pension plans for government employees and oppose turning over retirement funds to hedge funds. The AFT is calling for investments in public education, healthcare, and other state and local services, emphasizing the need for renewed focus on testing, contact tracing, and hospital support. They estimate a significant K-12 budget gap and potential job losses in public education without changes in federal resources.