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Gov. Deval Patrick has announced a proposal to dramatically increase state employees' contribution to health-insurance premiums. The increase is included in his FY09 budget recommendations, which he will submit to the legislature in the next couple of weeks.

This proposal is an unfair attack on state employees and their families, some of whom could see a 66 percent increase in their premium costs. (If you currently pay 15 percent and this proposal forces you to pay 25 percent, the increase from 15 to 25 is 66%.) Under the governor's proposal, you could end up paying an additional $2,300 just to keep your family healthy.

Gov. Patrick rode into the State House on a wave of hope and promises to treat state employees with more fairness, dignity, and respect than his predecessor did. So far, he has shown public employees that "the more things change, the more they stay the same."

Please immediately send an email to Governor Patrick and your state rep and senator and tell them that you don't want more of the same. Tell them that hardworking public employees and their families deserve better.