Team MAPE News December 18th, 2009

Elect Your Boss - Be a Team MAPE Leader! The outcome of the 2010 gubernatorial election will have a significant impact on our jobs, our compensation, our benefits and the future of our great state. Team MAPE is traveling the state, working to identify MAPE members who plan to go to their caucus and support MAPE issues. Join us! Help shape Minnesota's future! CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON BEING A TEAM MAPE LEADER Governor Pawlenty Proposes Failed Spending Cap Amendment- Minnesota faces a $1.2 billion dollar budget deficit that Minnesota faces in 2010. Governor Pawlenty recently proposed an amendment capping state spending at draconian levels. The Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy recently heard the proposed amendment. Pawlenty did not attend the hearing. MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe issued this response to the proposal: 'Governor Pawlenty's spending cap amendment is nothing more than the same failed political gimmick conservatives have proposed as a ballot measure over the last twenty years.' CLICK HERE TO READ MORE. MAPE Web Forum: Connect with MAPE Members, Share Ideas- Do you have an opinion? Do you have unanswered questions? Do you want to connect with other MAPE members from every corner of the state? Join the Discussion on the MAPE Web Forum. You and your fellow MAPE members can make the forum a place to exchange ideas between locals, departments and across the entire spectrum of the MAPE membership. Mass communication at the speed of your fingertips! CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE DISCUSSION NEW TO FORUMS? CLICK HERE TO WATCH THESE VIDEOS Holiday Giving: MAPE Local 602 Supports an Entire Unit of Veterans- MAPE members take their responsibility to our community seriously. During the holiday season, one local continues its tradition of giving. Every December, Local 602 donates their time and treasure to 40 veterans at the Minneapolis Veterans Home. From gift shopping to directly donating money to help fund the Vet's Recreation Room, Local 602's tradition has deep roots within MAPE. 'They want so little,' said Local 602 Secretary Don Collier. 'They have given so much.' With veterans that do not have a lot of family members,' Collier choked up as he listed off some of the simple gifts that veterans request. 'All one veteran wanted was a twelve-pack of diet root beer,' Collier said. Team MAPE wishes you a safe and happy holiday season. We will see you in 2010!

EMILY’s List Endorses Margaret Anderson Kelliher

WASHINGTON, D.C. – EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest financial resource for women candidates, today announced its endorsement of Margaret Anderson Kelliher for Governor of Minnesota. 

“EMILY’s List is proud to endorse Margaret Anderson Kelliher for Governor,” said Ellen R. Malcolm, President of EMILY’s List. “As Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Margaret has earned a reputation as a coalition builder, reaching across the aisle and working to make life better for all Minnesotans.  She is a champion for women and families and has exactly what it takes to be elected Minnesota’s first female Governor.  EMILY's List is thrilled to support Margaret’s campaign and stand with her as she makes history in 2010.”

“I am honored to receive the EMILY's List endorsement,” said Kelliher. “Their members support will be critical to help me build a strong and winning campaign across Minnesota.”

Kelliher was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1998. In her first term, she was named “Freshman Legislator of the Year.” Kelliher guided the passage of a nation-leading renewable energy standard. When the safety of Minnesota roads and bridges was at stake, Kelliher built the coalition of Democrats and Republicans that overrode Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s transportation bill veto. Over the course of the past three legislative sessions – all of which ended on time – Kelliher oversaw an agenda that provided health care coverage for 40,000 uninsured children, provided for property tax relief for Minnesota families, and fulfilled a commitment to increase school funding. 

In the face of historic economic challenges, Kelliher created a Jobs Task Force, recognizing the need to invest in job creation and training skilled workers for the new economy. She has been a relentless leader on choice, reproductive rights and women’s health.

In 2006, EMILY’s List helped elect Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota’s first woman U.S. Senator.  In 2000, Congresswoman McCollum made history as only the second woman elected to serve in Congress since statehood in 1858.  

EMILY’s List is the nation’s largest financial resource for women candidates. In the 2007-2008 cycle, EMILY’s List raised more than $43 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With more than 100,000 members across the country, EMILY’s List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has worked to elect 80 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 15 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices.

For more information on EMILY’s List and Margaret Anderson Kelliher, please visit www.emilyslist.org.

IBEW Endorses Kelliher for Governor

Kelliher’s fourth union endorsement demonstrates commitment to jobs, working families

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Minnesota State Council announced today that Speaker of the House, Rep. MargaretAnderson Kelliher (DFL-Minneapolis) has earned their endorsement for Governor of Minnesota. This is Kelliher’s fourth union endorsement, adding to a broad and growing grassroots coalition of working Minnesotans from every corner of the state.

“Our members, from Rochester to the Twin Cities to Moorhead to Duluth and the Iron Range, need a governor who will get electricians off the bench and back on the job,” said Tom Koehler, President of the IBEW Minnesota State Council. “Minnesota needs a peoples-leader and we believe that person, that peoples-leader is Margaret Anderson Kelliher.”

IBEW of Minnesota is over 15,500 members-strong working in the building construction trades, energy and manufacturing sectors across the state. “Our members have heard before that this is the most important election in their life and this one is no exception. That’s because things keep getting worse, problems compound and real people suffer.” Koehler went on to say “Margaret has always stood up for us. She has fought for our jobs, our families, and our future. The men and women of the IBEW are excited about the momentum behind Margaret’s campaign and we are proud to be a part of the team.”

All ten declared DFL candidates for governor participated in IBEW’s comprehensive interview and screening process. But in the end, Kelliher’s proven leadership stood out above the rest.

“Serious times call for serious leadership,” Koehler said. “When it comes to job creation, Margaret has worked tirelessly to build a better tomorrow for a better Minnesota. The IBEW will work just as hard to elect Margaret the next Governor of Minnesota.”

The IBEW Minnesota State Council is made up of 13 local unions representing over 15,500 members living throughout Minnesota.

Governor Wendell Anderson supports Margaret for Governor

Serious times call for serious leaders.

Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher is the leader we need to steer us through these troubled times.  I am proud to add my name to the over 1,000 people who have publicly pledged their support to Margaret for Governor.

When I became Governor in 1971, our state faced problems on many fronts. Property taxes were soaring. School districts were dependent solely on local property taxes for revenue, and there were significant disparities between rich and poor districts.

So I led an effort to overhaul our fiscal policies. It was known as the Minnesota Miracle.

Today we face a similar, if not more severe, set of challenges. Issues like high unemployment, home foreclosures and soaring deficits demand tested leadership. Margaret Anderson Kelliher is a proven leader, ready to guide our state towards long-term solutions.

We know Margaret is ready to lead, because she’s done it before. After the 35W bridge collapse, she led a successful veto override effort, providing much needed transportation funding for our crumbling infrastructure. It was just the second successful tax override in our state’s history.

As Governor, Margaret will fight for working families. Growing up on a dairy farm near Mankato, her family faced real adversity during the 1980s farming crisis. She knows first hand what Minnesotans are facing today. Because she’s lived it.

There is no escaping it; these are difficult days for many Minnesota families. But there is hope. Like we did back in 1971, Margaret Anderson Kelliher will lead us to a new day.

Add your name to the list. Join me in caucusing for Margaret on Feburary 2^nd. 


  

Governor Wendell Anderson

Team MAPE News December 2nd, 2009

Team MAPE News

December 2nd, 2009

 

·  Economic Forecast: $1.2 Billion Deficit -Minnesota Management and Budget released economic forecast today and the news isn't good. Minnesota faces a $1.2 billion dollar deficit for 2010-11 that could grow into a $5.4 billion dollar deficit in 2012-13. MAPE has proposed measures that will help solve our budget problem while maintaining the essential services and quality of life that MAPE members provide to our state.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE MAPE STATEMENT ON THE ECONOMIC FORECAST.

·  Thoughts on the Budget Forecast? Join the Discussion on the MAPE Web Forum. Read posts presented by the Web Forum Manager or submit your own for consideration. Have your voice heard by membership throughout the state! Register today!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE BUDGET FORECAST DISCUSSION

·  Elect Your Boss!-TEAM MAPE wants to help you Elect your Boss in 2010. To help members navigate the process and how to support our candidate, TEAM MAPE members will meet with your local before February.

Caucus is coming! February 2nd is closer than you think. Contact TEAM MAPE for information about where and how you can become part of the process!

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THE TEAM MAPE CALENDAR AND TO CONTACT MAPE STAFF ABOUT VISITING YOUR LOCAL

·  MAPE supports Margaret Anderson Kelliher for Governor-Before other unions follwed our lead, MAPE endorsed Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher first. As trailblazers, our endorsement opened the field for more organizations to join the team. Within a week after our endorsement, our brothers and sisters in the 49ers and in AFSCME Council 65 endorsed Margaret!

CLICK HERE FOR NEWS AND BACKGROUND ON THE ENDORSEMENT DECISION
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO FROM THE ENDORSEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW MARGARET ON TWITTER.

·  In Solidarity! MAPE and AFSCME Appreciation- MAPE local 2101 and AFSCME council 5 Local 2181 gathered to celebrate state employees.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

Margeret Anderson Kelliher Endorsment Update

As you know, MAPE has endorsed Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher for governor. Not long after the MAPE endorsement, our brothers and sisters in the 49ers and in AFSCME Council 65 also endorsed Margaret!

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE MAPE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS.

Margeret in the news:

Kelliher was interviewed on the Nov. 22 "At Issue" show on KSTP TV in the Twin Cities

Letter to MAPE members from Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (PDF)

MAPE endorses Kelliher (video)

Galleries of photos from Team MAPE Political Conference

Links:

• MAPE endorses Anderson Kelliher for governor (Workday Minnesota)
• Kelliher picks up first union endorsement in run for governor (Mpls. Star Tribune)
• MAPE backs Kelliher for governor (MPR)
• MAPE endorses Anderson Kelliher for governor (Minnesota Independent)
• Big Minn. union backs Kelliher for governor (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
• Big Minn. union backs Kelliher for governor (MPR)
• State employees' union endorses Margaret Anderson Kelliher for Governor (KARE 11)
• State's second largest employee backs Kelliher (WCCO TV)
• MAPE set to endorse Anderson Kelliher for gov (Minnesota Progressive Project)
• MAPE endorses Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher for governor (Kelliher for governor website)
• Kelliher gets big labor endorsement ... (MinnPost)
• MAPE endorses Kelliher (KEYC TV in southern Minnesota)
• Professional employees' union endorses Kelliher (mndaily.com)
• State employees' union endorses Margaret Anderson Kelliher for governor (MSNBC.com)
• MAPE picks Kelliher (Capitol chatter/Don Davis)
• MAPE goes for Margaret Anderson Kelliher (Politics in Minnesota)

MAPE's reaction to economic forecast

Press Release 

Minnesota Association of Professional Employees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          

Statement of:
Jim Monroe
Executive Director, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
On economic forecast
Dec. 2, 2009

 

“Once again, the dire economic news released today paints a very bleak picture for the people of Minnesota.

 “Last May, MAPE outlined millions of dollars in waste that included out-of-state travel, uncollected revenue and the Pawlenty Administration’s bloated management. The result of MAPE shining the light on certain administration practices was $10 million trimmed from out-of-state travel and the Department of Revenue stepping up collection efforts on money owed to our state. These are positive steps, but more action is needed to cut waste to preserve vital services for Minnesotans.

 “Governor Pawlenty, with Minnesota facing a $1.2 billion state budget deficit for the remainder of this biennium, we ask that you put your presidential aspirations on hold, focus on the job you were elected to perform, sit down with us and work together to resolve the state’s ongoing economic crisis.”

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Below are weblinks to postings from MAPE's statement on the economic forecast:

• Minn. budget deficit $1.2 billion through mid-2011 (Pioneer Press online by the Associated Press)
• MAPE tells Pawlenty to put presidential postings on hold (MPR)
• MAPE's reaction to economic forecast (MN Progressive Project)