Senator Tarryl Clark - MAPE Legislator of the Year

Senator Tarryl Clark, Representative Tony Sertich and Representative Debra Hilstom were award winners at the 2009 MAPE Delegate Assembly awards dinner. Below is the press release announcing Senator Clark as the MAPE 2009 Senate Legislator of the year. Links to the press releases for the other two awards are also below.

Link: Hilstrom Award Press Release PDF

Link: Sertich Award Press Release PDF

For Immediate Release                                          
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009                                                      

MAPE presents Senator Tarryl Clark with Legislator of the Year Award

Shoreview, MN – The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) awarded State Senator Tarryl Clark with its Senate Legislator of the Year Award at MAPE’s 2009 Delegate Assembly Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25 and 26.

“As the Senate’s Assistant Majority Leader, Tarryl Clark has proven she is a tireless advocate for creating jobs and for making government more efficient. She is a great supporter of the work we as state employees do for Minnesota,” said MAPE Legislative Affairs Director Richard Kolodziejski.

“Ever since she was first elected, Senator Clark has challenged us as state employees to find ways we can help the state save money,” Kolodziejski said. “In times like this, we need to roll up our sleeves and help the state solve the budget deficit. At Tarryl’s urging, we found many ways the state could save millions of dollars.”

During the 2009 legislative session, MAPE announced it had found numerous cost-savings in state government. The state budget deficit could be lowered by $357 million if the governor would implement MAPE’s money-saving budget suggestions today, including approximately $240 million per biennium the state writes off, bloated management that costs approximately $110 million per biennium and $6.8 million the state spends on outside electrical contractors.

Senator Clark also championed legislation requiring the Department of Employment and Economic Development to work together with entities like MnSCU and the University of Minnesota to create jobs. The coordination outlined in her bill will improve job placement, career planning and employer training.

MAPE has more than 12,600 members in Minnesota. MAPE members keep our lakes and rivers clean, protect us from food-borne illnesses and manage the state’s IT infrastructure.

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