Reprinted from The Trumbull Times © Copyright 2009
April 30, 2009

To the Editor:

Three cheers to state representatives T.R. Rowe and Tony Hwang for aggressively pushing to privatize services for mentally disabled citizens.

As pointed out by the Trumbull Times, their proposal has the potential to save state taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. However, it must be noted that this savings also will result in a quality of care equal to or even better than care now provided by the state Department of Developmental Services.

You need only visit one of the private social services agencies that would assume responsibility for these services to see that reduced bureaucracy tends to free more professionals for direct contact with the people who need assistance.

Who could possibly object to equal or better levels of service for substantially less money? Well, it will soon be clear to all: The unions.

Most of the state's unionized social service workers likely would end up working at one of the expanded private agencies. Many would remain working for the state in needed oversight positions. Nevertheless, there undoubtedly would be some attrition. That means, of course, that the unions will undoubtedly fight to preserve themselves at the expense of taxpayers and at the expense of the mentally challenged individuals who need assistance with their lives.

We have seen the result of the unions' stranglehold on municipalities, forcing elected officials to cave in to unreasonable union demands simply to avoid facing binding arbitration, which puts just about all the negotiating power on the union side of the table.

Unions are important in our society, giving a voice and strength to workers who have been and might otherwise continue to be exploited. However, the time has come for common sense. It is time to change the rules surrounding binding arbitration. And, as Rowe and Hwang point out, it is time to privatize selected government services that can be performed more efficiently by talented professionals statewide.

Michael London, R-6th District
Trumbull Town Council