My state is actively ruining employees’ lives by reducing taxes for businesses (less revenue), which is making it so that the state cannot afford raises and are constantly increasing healthcare costs for employees.

I would love to do something, and the only thing I can think of that would have any meaningful impact would be to sue the state. But I have no idea what that process would take, nor do I personally have funds to hire a lawyer.

I hear about class-action lawsuits all the time, and would be interested in understanding their process better.

  1. How would I find a lawyer/firm that would be interested in taking the case?
  2. Can you even sue a state for this sort of thing?
  3. Aside of maintaining my anonymity to avoid retaliation, what else should I be aware of in case this process gets off the ground?

Edit: Clarity

  • KingGimpicus@sh.itjust.works
    4·
    3 天前

    You cant sue the government without a specific tort, and “the state purposefully collected less revenue in order to deny giving me more money” is not a rational or legal argument. Further, you explicitly cannot sue the government for performing the duties of the government, like collecting taxes or carrying mail.

    You have no actionable cause. It sounds like what youre looking for is thoughts and prayers.

  • disregardable@lemmy.zip
    22·
    5 天前

    As a general principle, it’s legal for states to set taxes at whatever they want, including $0. You’d need to find a specific statute or constitutional provision that’s being violated to sue. Basically, if there isn’t a law explicitly banning the conduct, you can’t sue over it.

    • neidu3@sh.itjust.worksMEnglish
      12·
      5 天前

      “They” is used a bit ambiguously. I think OP refers to state employees, “they” meaning the state in the second half of the first paragraph.

    • dohpaz42@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      7·
      5 天前

      Thank you. I have replaced “they” with “the state” and added “less revenue” to hopefully clear things up. If there is anything else that is ambiguous or unclear, please let me know.

  • i_stole_ur_taco@lemmy.ca
    8·
    5 天前

    In general, you can sue if you can prove damages. A class action probably isn’t the right vessel - you haven’t lost money, but you have the perception that money would have gone to you.

    Legally, I don’t think that holds much weight.

    I feel like getting some media attention is a more effective angle, especially if you can gather enough detailed information and contact a journalist.

  • radix@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    5 天前

    You can probably sue the state for things that are actively harmful, like creating dangerous roads. But a lawsuit trying to set different priorities in revenue and spending isn’t going to get very far. Setting tax rates is fundamentally political. That’s the entire purpose of a state legislature, so the remedy is at the ballot box.

    TBH, I wouldn’t want a random selection of unelected people from my state (a jury) to be able to have the power to decide tax rates.

    • dohpaz42@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      3·
      5 天前

      I am not looking to affect tax rates, I mentioned it as a reason why we state employees are being negatively impacted.

      Regardless of the cause, we are being financially harmed by our employer (the state), and I would like to do something legal about it.

      • general_kitten@sopuli.xyz
        9·
        5 天前

        That is what unions are for. In my country some years ago our postal workers’ union’s strike resulted in the prime minister resigning.

        So unionizing and organizing a strike would be the most effective legal thing i would say.

        • dohpaz42@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          3·
          5 天前

          Strikes don’t affect change if the powers that be don’t listen. My state has had a lot of strikes from teachers that produced nothing positive for the teachers. And all other state employees are legally banned from unionizing.

          • PlasticExistence@lemmy.worldEnglish
            3·
            5 天前

            I feared this was the case. I can sympathize.

            The problem here starts with your elected officials. They set spending policy which affects your salary budget. There is, as far as I know, no direct legal action you can take to correct this. My state’s employees have been experiencing this for decades.

            You can try raising money for lobbyists to represent government employees. You can run for office. You can try getting publicity about the problem in the media. I’m sure there are other things you can do.

            But you know, consultations with lawyers are free. I am not a lawyer, so don’t let me stop you from talking to one.

            • dohpaz42@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
              3·
              4 天前

              I wonder then if the better approach may be to find a way challenging the law that bars employees from unionizing?; specially since teachers are already allowed to unionize.

      • CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        5 天前

        IANAL but states are often given sovereign immunity in court, so I would guess the lawsuit wouldn’t get very far unless they allow you to sue them in the first place

  • SuiXi3D@fedia.io
    11·
    5 天前

    While I agree with the rest of the comments saying an extended strike and a proper union are ideal, I think you best bet is to talk to a lawyer first.