Employees of the Tacoma Art Museum have collected more than 400 signatures on a community letter, as they seek to unionize the institution founded in 1935.

Stephen Rue, lead preparator for the Art Museum, prepares exhibits at the museum, and said a majority of workers have indicated they want to join the Washington Federation of State Employees and become the state's first museum with unionized workers across departments.

Rue believes a recent management resignation and other disruptions suggest it is the appropriate time for more employee engagement.

"Unionizing would solidify our voice as the workers - but also give us voice in order to implement those changes that need to be made," Rue said.

Workers are seeking voluntary recognition for the union from museum management, but have not heard if that will be accepted. A solidarity rally will be held across the street from the museum on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Eden Redmond, institutional giving manager for the museum, believes unionization could help guarantee livable wages, safe working conditions, transparency and accountability from management. She said that would help create a layer of worker advocacy and support.

"A union would provide regular opportunities for feedback," Redmond said, "would provide guaranteed opportunities for evaluation and opportunity for promotion - making those foundational practices across the institution."

Carrie Morton, visitor-service representative for the museum, said there are 27 eligible workers who have signed union authorization cards.

"We do have 90% of the eligible workers that are in support of the union," Morton said, "so it gives a pretty clear mandate at least among the union-eligible employees this is the way that we want to go forward."

Morton said wages at the museum - between $15 and $17 per hour - are not enough to live on in Tacoma and force many employees to take on second jobs.

Federal data show much of the U.S. is seeing job growth for the clean energy sector, and Minnesota is no exception, as new regional numbers confirm the state is adding more workers to the field.

The organization Clean Energy Economy Minnesota is out with a new report, noting around the state, jobs supporting resources such as solar energy or electric vehicles grew overall by nearly 3.5% last year. Nearly 60,000 Minnesotans work in the clean energy sector.

Amelia Cerling Hennes, managing director of the group, said the encouraging trend is not just confined to certain parts of the state.

"The clean energy sector is benefiting economies all across the state," Cerling Hennes reported. "About one in three clean energy jobs are located in Greater Minnesota."

She cited some regional hot spots, such as St. Cloud, which is the fastest-growing area outside the Twin Cities. Statewide, there was a 10% growth in jobs supporting the transition to electric vehicles. Industry sources acknowledge challenges, with 82% of clean-energy employers citing difficulties in filling open positions, prompting renewed calls for more investments in job-training programs.

Becky Wacker, director of energy services sales for the energy solutions firm Trane, said like many other firms, they are adding to their Minnesota staff. She pointed out there are many types of roles within clean energy, and Trane is trying to help those interested make an easier transition.

"We've got some early talent development programs to help train those young professionals as they're coming into our business," Wacker explained. "Whether it's recent college graduates or technicians or those looking to be out in the field."

Both Wacker and Hennes emphasized because of the demand for services and projects, clean energy can serve as a career, as opposed to a temporary vocation. More broadly, industry leaders are calling on Congress to protect funding -- from policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act -- for additional clean-energy development and the jobs created. Concerns are mounting under demands from House Republicans to cut spending.

Congress is again steeped in a looming budget crisis as lawmakers face a deadline to approve a new government spending plan.

In Wisconsin, policy analysts say working families could fall through the cracks if certain GOP proposals go through. Prior to the recent Congressional recess, House Republicans had floated ideas such as slashing funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.

Daithi Wolfe, senior early education analyst for Kids Forward, said the proposed cuts could lead to 71,000 eligible participants in Wisconsin being denied WIC benefits. He warned about creating negative outcomes.

"Every step of the way, obviously, kids and families need support," Wolfe pointed out. "But if we don't do it early, then we pay for it later."

He noted the budget concerns come as Wisconsin families brace for child care funding woes at the state level. Gov. Tony Evers has scheduled a special session in hopes of making permanent a pandemic-related subsidy program. State Republicans recently voted to let it expire. In Washington, Freedom Caucus members have said they want tighter spending after feeling ignored in the recent debt-ceiling debate.

Wolfe emphasized other spending proposals would result in 1,000 Wisconsin preschoolers losing access to Head Start, and 1,400 young people being left out of job training programs. He stressed households relying on the programs do not need any more barriers being put in their way.

"These are all working people in our state that are working poor because we refuse to raise the minimum wage," Wolfe asserted. "We've refused to come up with jobs that pay a living wage and to support families and children."

Congress needs to adopt a new spending plan by Oct. 1 to avoid a government shutdown. With deep divisions still in place, including among moderate Republicans and far-right members, there is growing concern a deal will not be reached in time.

Pennsylvanians will soon see some financial relief with their property taxes and rent.

Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed House Bill 1100 into law, expanding the state's existing property tax and rent rebate program.

Bill Johnston-Walsh, state director for AARP Pennsylvania, said the expansion of the program will significantly boost property tax rebates for older adults, alleviating the financial burden for homeowners and renters. He said the yearly maximum standard will increase from $650 to $1,000 for individuals.

"This program, and this expansion of this program, which is the first in almost two decades," Johnston-Walsh pointed out. "Both property taxes across the state, and rents have been increasing year after year. And that's why AARP Pennsylvania fought so hard to expand the property tax rebate program."

Johnston-Walsh pointed out the program will be adjusted for cost of living as it moves forward. The Keystone State is home to almost 3.5 million people age 60 and older.

Johnston-Walsh explained the program provides financial relief to those who need it most but also demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the needs of an aging population.

"The Pennsylvania Legislature and Gov. Shapiro, what they're looking for is how do we keep people in their homes longer?" Johnston-Walsh emphasized. "How do we put more money in their pockets so that, you know, they're able to put food on their table, pay for their medications, and also pay for their property tax and their rents?"

Shapiro and Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich recently participated in a tele-townhall with AARP to answer questions from older Pennsylvanians about the expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

Johnston-Walsh stressed they want to reach as many Pennsylvanians as possible to advise them of the program.

"To educate people letting them know that this expansion goes from $35,000 a year for homeowners to $45,000 starting in 2024," Johnston-Walsh outlined. "And getting as many people to apply for it as possible, we know that there's going to be nearly 175,000 additional Pennsylvanians that will be eligible for the program next year."

Johnston-Walsh added 400,000 people are already qualified and will get the increase. Pennsylvanian have until Dec. 31 to apply for the program. Area Agencies on Aging, local senior centers and state legislators' offices can also assist.