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?
1. Can you even sue a state for this sort of thing?
1. 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
10 Jul 2026 21:37
Hold up... How does paying LESS TAXES mean they have LESS money for raises? Sounds more like the company needs to be sued, not the state.
10 Jul 2026 21:41
"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.
10 Jul 2026 21:52
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.
10 Jul 2026 21:57
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.
10 Jul 2026 22:06
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.
10 Jul 2026 22:10
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.
10 Jul 2026 22:11
Isn't that what strikes are for?
10 Jul 2026 22:20
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.
10 Jul 2026 22:22
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.
10 Jul 2026 22:28
I believe what you're looking for is a union, not a lawsuit.
10 Jul 2026 22:28
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.
10 Jul 2026 23:41
Many government employees are unable to unionize, but otherwise I thoroughly agree
10 Jul 2026 23:52
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.
11 Jul 2026 00:07
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.
11 Jul 2026 01:39
Lemmy
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