State and local government employees are making their voices heard in the state budget process.
Several dozen AFSCME members crowded into Wednesday's first meeting of the budget conference committee. Wearing green shirts, they filled the first several rows of chairs in a Capitol hearing room. AFSCME Council 24 President Robert McLinn says they were there because of concerns over the budget process and wanted to see what's going on.
McLinn says they're fighting against the budget proposed by Assembly Republicans because it could lead to job losses across the state. He says Republicans are showing a total disregard for the whole process.
McLinn says they'll continue to watch the budget conference committee closely, and will have a contingent of members present whenever lawmakers meet.
The conference committee will continue work in the coming weeks.