- Piedmont Rising
NEW ANALYSIS: Tillis’ Support for Letting NC Go Bankrupt Would Jeopardize Health and Safety
NEW ANALYSIS: Tillis’ Support for Letting North Carolina Go Bankrupt Would Jeopardize Health and Safety of North Carolinians
States are facing their biggest fiscal crisis since the Great Depression, but Tillis aligned with McConnell on letting states go bankrupt
Raleigh, N.C. – During a telephone town hall on Friday, Senator Thom Tillis said he’s “aligned with Leader McConnell” on the suggestion that states should “use the bankruptcy route” to alleviate economic stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic — an idea that would put North Carolina’s economic recovery and essential services at risk.
A new analysis by Piedmont Rising shows how the health and safety of North Carolinians would suffer if Tillis got his way, as the jobs of critical state-funded employees would be at risk, including:
18,098 health care workers employed by the state in health and human services roles.
45,172 firefighters who play a critical role in responding to all types of emergencies
155,755 educators who are taking drastic measures to ensure children are still learning
Piedmont Rising Executive Director, Casey Wilkinson, released this statement in response:
“Senator Tillis has routinely voted to make health care more expensive and less accessible for North Carolinians. Now he is jeopardizing our health and safety by supporting McConnell’s plan to let our state go bankrupt. This would be disastrous for our communities. Firefighters, EMS workers, school teachers, and more could lose their jobs. We need Senator Tillis to ensure the federal government sends critical funding to keep these critical public servants on the job so they can keep North Carolinians healthy and safe.”
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities determined that states’ rainy day funds are “not adequate to address an economic shock” as a result of the pandemic. Without additional federal assistance, families and communities across the country will pay the price as states struggle to pay for essential services.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Coscia
###
About Piedmont Rising
Piedmont Rising is a 501(c)4 issue advocacy organization built by and for North Carolinians to advocate for lower insurance premiums and prescription drug costs and to ensure that more people have access to safe and affordable health care. Through grassroots organizing, education, and engagement, we are amplifying our health care stories and holding our elected officials accountable to the people, and issues they were elected to represent. www.piedmontrising.org