Team MAPE News 2/3

Team MAPE Newsletter

February 3rd, 2009

Oppose SF 372: State Employee Salary Freeze. Governor Pawlenty suggested a state employee wage freeze in his state of the state address. The wage freeze proposal now has a vehicle in the form of SF 372. Click here to read it. This wage freeze will make the state's finances worse, not better. Minnesota needs more good-paying jobs, not less. Our income stays right here in Minnesota, helping our local economy. Tell your State Senator to oppose SF 372! CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR SENATOR, RIGHT NOW!

Advance Steward Training... MAPE members have two opportunities to participate in the advanced steward training class in 2009. The first advanced two-day course will be held Feb. 11-12. The second class will be taught Aug. 12-13. Both classes will be held at the MAPE office. Registrants for this advanced level course must verify participation in at least one grievance or one investigation. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ADVANCED STEWARD TRAINING

Important Benefit Card information: MAPE members have now begun receiving their benefit card information. The first mailing will come directly from Eide Bailly and will include what the state refers to as a "Welcome Letter" and information about the amount you will receive. (The COBRA information in the first letter, by the way, is being sent to comply with Federal law.) Secondly, the Benny Card itself will arrive in a separate mailing, directly from the card vendor. So, once you receive the "Welcome Letter" from Eide Bailly, the Benny Card itself will arrive a few days later. Please visit the MAPE website for more information.

Participate in the Senate Budget Forum. Contacting your legislators is one great way to stand up for state employees. Another way is to participate in online forums seeking budget solving solutions. Leaders in both legislative chambers are seeking ideas on how to best solve the deficit crisis. The Senate launched a brand-new Senate Budget Discussion forum, where you can share your ideas. CLICK HERE TO SHARE YOUR BUDGET IDEAS.

Startribune Report: Governor Pawlenty's proposed budget would eliminate 1,100 state jobs. Click here to read the report from the Startribune.

Register now for the 2009 Team MAPE Day on the Hill! Over 100 MAPE members have already registered. This is on track to be our biggest Day on the Hill ever. With a $5.2 billion budget deficit and a bill introduced threatening to freeze our salaries, it is more important than ever to make our collective voices heard. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Read the Team MAPE weekly Legislative Report. This week read about the Governor's budget and how it would impact key items like our jobs and our pensions. FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THESE AND OTHER ITEMS, CLICK HERE TO READ THE TEAM MAPE LEGISLATIVE REPORT.

Please encourage your coworkers to sign up for the MAPE home email list. More so than ever before, we will be communicating through home e-mails about all these important developments. Please encourage members and coworkers to provide home e-mails at local meetings as well. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE MAPE HOME EMAIL LIST.

Team MAPE Newsletter #2 1/20/09

Team MAPE Newsletter #2

January 20, 2009

Contact your legislators, right now! The first step in our 2009 Team MAPE legislative communications plan is to introduce ourselves to legislators. Simply put, we need to show that we are here, and that we are proud MAPE members. The work we do for the state is vitally important. Particularly in times like this. CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS, RIGHT NOW!

Grand Forks Herald: Pawlenty should recall the "first rule of holes" -- stop digging. Last week, Governor Pawlenty gave his annual State of the State address. In it, he said the our stat's condition is "challenged." If anything, that is an understatement. This Grand Forks Herald editorial gets it right when it called the speech "completely inadequate." Governor Pawlenty should spend more time thinking up creating solutions and less time making jokes. In his response to the Governor, MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe stated that Pawlenty should work with with us as MAPE members if he really wants to provide better service at a lower cost.

The Governor has stated his intention to attempt to freeze state employee salaries. Ultimately, that issue will be decided at the negotiations table. The MAPE Negotiations Team is hard at work preparing for contract negotiations with the state. Their most recent report, accessible by full MAPE members, is available HERE.

This Miracle Brought to You by Unions. The recent pictures and story of the miraculous landing of a US airways jet on the Hudson river certainly were amazing. Like state employees during a natural disaster, the well-trained unionized crew members that reacted coolly under pressure are the true heroes of the incident. Who do you want piloting the plane on your next trip? Answer: A unionized, trained crew with years of experience.

Register now for the 2009 Team MAPE Day on the Hill! 57 MAPE members have already registered. With a $5.2 billion budget deficit and the Governor threatening to freeze our salaries, it is more important than ever to make our collective voices heard. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Do you like writing? Do you like following the news? Do you want to work in a fast-paced environment? MAPE is looking for a MAPE member to join our staff as a full-time lost-time communications forum administrator. The person chosen for this position will coordinate communications strategies with the political, legislative and communications staff and administer our new, ground-breaking web forum. This position will remain in effect through the Legislative session and until a contract agreement is negotiated with the state. Do you have documented experience with web-based communications tools? Do you think your writing, planning and organizing skills maybe the right fit for this position? For more information, contact MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe at jmonroe@mape.org.

Please encourage your coworkers to sign up for the MAPE home email list. More so than ever before, we will be communicating through home e-mails about all these important developments. Please encourage members and coworkers to provide home e-mails at local meetings as well. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE MAPE HOME EMAIL LIST.

To contact your legislators, please visit TeamMAPE.org.

January Team MAPE Political Affairs Report

MAPE Legislative and Political Affairs Report

January 2009

The 2009 Legislative Session Kicks Off

On January 6^th, the 2009 legislative session officially started. Legislators will continue, just as they have since the record $4.8 billion general fund deficit was projected, to balance the state's budget for 2010-2010. They must pass the budget by the end of the fiscal year: June 30th, 2009. The legislative session is scheduled for adjournment on May 18th, but lawmakers will be forced into a special session until they reach agreement with the governor’s office. If no agreement is reached by June 30th, the state will again be forced to shut down. Considering the size of the deficit, we should be prepared for these scenarios.  

 

This session will most certainly be one worth following. While the possibility of a stimulus package from the federal government is promising, it will require Minnesota legislators to have a plan in place for spending. This package is anticipated to bring in additional employment. Yet, the Governor has ordered all state agencies to submit plans for a ten percent budget reduction which will most certainly reduce state services and state jobs. The impact of his budget should be available when his budget when it is released later this month. Finally, we are following the State Budget Trends Study Group, which will make its recommendations on how to deal with the state budget on January 13th.

 

One thing is for certain, the legislature will be open to hearing just about any suggestion a person can make that would help them deal with the budget deficit.  Leadership from both the House of Representatives and the Senate were presented with the final product produced by MAPE Budget Task Force.  Committee chairs will also be briefed on the results.  So, now we will begin the process of initiating legislative contacts through TeamMAPE.org to preserve jobs, prevent any raids on state employee pensions, preventing outsourcing work, and protecting our health care reserve funds.

 

2009 Team MAPE Day on the Hill

Day on the Hill is scheduled for March 4th. This year, our focus will be to tell elected officials how cuts and layoffs will personally affect us as state employees. Legislators need to hear how the budget can impact you, your workplace, and your family.  Facing a record state deficit, this may be the most important Day on the Hill you could ever attend.  Please encourage a coworker to attend along with you.  You can register on line at www.TeamMAPE.org.  It is vitally important that you register early.  We plan on mailing agendas and talking points to registrants early so people can be prepared to speak with their legislator. Remember, no one has to go by themselves. We always try to schedule groups of constituents to meet with their legislators together.  If that is not the case for you, we can arrange for staff to accompany you to your appointment. Please visit TeamMAPE.org for more information.  

 

 

 

Home E-mails

MAPE continues to request member’s home e-mails.  More so than ever before, we will be communicating through home e-mails about all the important happenings at the Capitol.  Please take the time to notify your Business Agent, someone at MAPE central office, or any local officer.  Please encourage members and coworkers to provide home e-mails at local meetings as well. 

 

Team MAPE Newsletter

For the first time, Team MAPE will produce a weekly email newsletter that will encompass all sorts of news inside and outside of politics.  Information will be briefly noted in the newsletter and accompanied by links to allow the viewer to decide what information they would like to receive. You can expect to see information on member recruitment, MAPE news, union news, legislative session updates, contract information and even links to the secure pages of negotiation updates.  The information will continually be fresh and sent to home e-mails that we have on file at MAPE.

 

Weekly Legislative Updates

For members interested in following more of the intricate details of the legislative session, there will be weekly legislative session updates available on the Team MAPE website.  It will include news from the capitol as it pertains to MAPE and information about bill hearings when there is adequate advance notice provided.  There will also be other information included that may be of assistance in allowing members to follow legislation.

 

Coalitions and Affiliate Groups

In order for Team MAPE to maximize our effectiveness in the political and legislative arenas, we often work in organized cooperation with other organizations. These coalitions of progressive groups, working on multiple issues, allow us to expand our reach and capacity. In the last month, representatives from MAPE have attended meetings and events for many of these groups.

 

For example, a full table from MAPE attended the annual Take Action dinner. Staff has attended a campaign debrief prepared by Grassroots Solutions and hosted by America Votes. Staff also assisted in a meeting of the MVP table, recapping our successes on State House races and how we can improve our processes in the future. MAPE is also working in support of the Sick Days coalition effort to pass legislation mandating that all workers in Minnesota be granted time off to deal with health issues. Most recently, members and staff from MAPE attended the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition rally in the capitol rotunda.

 

 

In solidarity,

 

 

Richard Kolodziejski                                          Kendal Killian

MAPE Legislative Affairs Director                      Political Affairs Coordinator

Team MAPE wins!

Yesterday, 78% of Team MAPE endorsed candidates won their elections. This represents a 3% improvement in our win rate over 2006!

Team MAPE endorses candidates for state offices. This year, our focus was on the state legislature. We support candidates who support us. Team MAPE endorsed 112 candidates for legislature. These candidates pledge to help us improve our compensation, find solutions to our health care crisis, protect our retirement benefits and prevent the outsourcing of state jobs.

Out of 112, 88 won election and 24 lost. Five endorsed incumbent legislators, Representative Erhardt, Representative Tschumper, Representative Madore and Representative Wollschlager, were defeated. Meanwhile, Team MAPE endorsed candidates won six races in seats previously held by unendorsed legislators. Therefore, the election represented a small net improvement in the number of legislators we can count on to support MAPE legislation.

Other election notes: 

• Depending on the specific bill, there will be about 90 members of the Minnesota House MAPE can count on to support our legislation.
• In 51A, previously endorsed Rep Scott Kranz decided not to seek reelection. Running for the open seat, the Team MAPE endorsed candidate, Shawn Hamilton, was defeated. 
• Our endorsed candidates in the two State Senate Special Elections won, Ken Kelash in 63 and Lisa Fobbe in 16. This is a net pickup for MAPE and our labor allies, increasing our super majority to veto-proof plus one.
• Three races, all won by Team MAPE endorsed candidates, may go to a recount, House races 16A and 12B and the Special State Senate race in 16. 
• Of the so called “override six,” only Rep. Jim Abeler and Rep. Rod Hamilton will be back in the legislature next year.
• The number of MAPE members in District 12B exceeded Rep. Al Doty’s victory margin – 75 votes. This is why we work so hard to turn out ever MAPE member to vote. Our votes can really make the difference.

The full race run-down is below:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

	District		First	Last	Win/Loss
House	1	A	Rep. David	Olin	Win
House	1	B	Rep. Bernie	Lieder	Win
House	2	A	Rep. Kent	Eken	Win
House	2	B	Rep. Brita	Sailer	Win
House	3	A	Rep. Tom	Anzelc	Win
House	3	B	Rep. Loren	Solberg	Win
House	4	A	John	Persell	Win
House	5	A	Rep. Tom	Rukavina	Win
House	5	B	Rep. Tony	Sertich	Win
House	6	A	Rep. David	Dill	Win
House	6	B	Rep. Mary	Murphy	Win
House	7	A	Rep. Tom	Huntley	Win
House	7	B	Roger	Reinert	Win
House	8	A	Rep. Bill	Hilty	Win
House	8	B	Rep. Tim	Faust	Win
House	9	A	Mark	Altenburg	Loss
House	9	B	Rep. Paul	Marquart	Win
House	10	A	Greg	Stumbo	Loss
House	11	B	Rep. Mary Ellen	Otremba	Win
House	12	A	Rep. John	Ward	Win
House	12	B	Rep. Al	Doty	Win
House	13	B	Rep. Al	Juhnke	Win
House	14	A	Rob	Jacobs	Loss
House	14	B	Rep. Larry	Hosch	Win
House	15	A	Joanne	Dorsher	Loss
House	15	B	Rep. Larry	Haws	Win
House	16	A	Gail	Kulick Jackson	Win
House	16	B	Steve	Andrews	Loss
Senate	16		Lisa	Fobbe	Win
House	17	A	Jim	Godfrey	Loss
House	17	B	Rep. Jeremy	Kalin	Win
House	20	A	Andrew	Falk	Win
House	20	B	Rep. Lyle	Koenen	Win
House	23	A	Rep. Terry	Morrow	Win
House	23	B	Rep. Kathy	Brynaert	Win
House	25	A	Tim	Siebsen	Loss
House	25	B	Rep. David	Bly	Win
House	26	A	Kory	Kath	Win
House	26	B	Rep. Patti	Fritz	Win
House	27	A	Rep. Robin	Brown	Win
House	27	B	Rep. Jeanne	Poppe	Win
House	28	A	Rep. Sandy	Wollschlager	Loss
House	28	B	Linda	Pfeilsticker	Loss
House	29	B	Rep. Kim	Norton	Win
House	30	A	Rep. Tina	Liebling	Win
House	30	B	Rep. Andy	Welti	Win
House	31	B	Rep. Ken	Tschumper	Loss
House	32	A	Grace	Baltich	Loss
House	32	B	Lee	Carlson	Loss
House	34	A	Marcia	Krueger	Loss
House	35	A	Sue	Bruns	Loss
House	36	B	Beverly	Topp	Loss
House	37	A	Rep. Shelley	Madore	Loss
House	37	B	Phil	Sterner	Win
House	38	A	Rep. Sandy	Masin	Win
House	38	B	Michael	Obermueller	Win
House	39	A	Rep. Rick	Hansen	Win
House	39	B	Rep. Joe	Atkins	Win
House	40	A	Rep. Will	Morgan	Win
House	40	B	Rep. Ann	Lenczewski	Win
House	41	A	Rep. Ron	Erhardt	Loss
House	41	B	Paul	Rosenthal	Win
House	42	A	Rep. Maria	Ruud	Win
House	42	B	Jerry	Pitzrick	Loss
House	43	A	Clint	Faust	Loss
House	43	B	Rep. John	Benson	Win
House	44	A	Rep. Steve	Simon	Win
House	44	B	Rep. Ryan	Winkler	Win
House	45	A	Rep. Sandy	Peterson	Win
House	45	B	Rep. Lyndon	Carlson	Win
House	46	A	Rep. Mike	Nelson	Win
House	46	B	Rep. Debra	Hilstrom	Win
House	47	A	Rep. Denise	Ditrrich	Win
House	47	B	Rep. Melissa	Hortman	Win
House	48	A	Sharon	Lawrence	Loss
House	48	B	Rep. Jim	Abeler	Win
House	49	A	Ted	Butler	Loss
House	49	B	Jerry	Newton	Win
House	50	A	Rep. Carolyn	Laine	Win
House	50	B	Rep. Kate	Knuth	Win
House	51	A	Shawn	Hamilton	Loss
House	51	B	Rep. Tom	Tillberry	Win
House	52	B	Kate	Christopher	Loss
House	53	A	Rep. Paul	Gardner	Win
House	53	B	Chris	Knopf	Loss
House	54	A	Rep. Mindy	Greiling	Win
House	54	B	Rep. Bev	Scalze	Win
House	55	A	Rep. Leon	Lillie	Win
House	55	B	Rep. Nora	Slawik	Win
House	56	A	Rep. Julie	Bunn	Win
House	56	B	Rep. Marsha	Swails	Win
House	57	A	Rep. Karla	Bigham	Win
House	58	A	Rep. Joe	Mullery	Win
House	59	A	Rep. Diane	Loeffler	Win
House	59	B	Rep. Phyllis	Kahn	Win
House	60	A	Rep. Margaret	Kelliher	Win
House	60	B	Rep. Frank	Hornstein	Win
House	61	A	Rep. Karen	Clark	Win
House	61	B	Jeffrey	Hayden	Win
House	62	A	Rep. Jim	Davnie	Win
House	62	B	Rep. Jean	Wagenius	Win
House	63	A	Rep. Paul	Thissen	Win
House	63	B	Rep. Linda	Slocum	Win
Senate	63		Ken	Kelash	Win
House	64	A	Rep. Erin	Murphy	Win
House	64	B	Rep. Michael	Paymar	Win
House	65	A	Rep. Cy	Thao	Win
House	65	B	Rep. Carlos	Mariani	Win
House	66	A	Rep. John	Lesch	Win
House	66	B	Rep. Alice	Hausman	Win
House	67	A	Rep. Tim	Mahoney	Win
House	67	B	Rep. Sheldon	Johnson	Win

Download TeamMAPE08.xls

 

October Political Affairs Report

Political Affairs Report

Team MAPE Phone Banks

The Team MAPE Government Relations committee, led by co-chair Pat Litchy, is hosting phone banks at MAPE headquarters on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:30 PM from now until Election Day. These calls are focused on getting the word out about Team MAPE candidates in targeted districts. A call from home option is also available for Greater Minnesota members. For more information please contract Kendal Killian at kkillian@mape.org or 651-287-8768.

Delegate Assembly Success!

The 2008 Delegate Assembly was a huge success for Team MAPE. Throughout the course of the gathering, 30 Team MAPE contributors increased their contribution to the Team MAPE PAC, for a net annual increase of over $1300. Also, the Team MAPE Government Relations Committee unanimously passed their 2009 Legislative Priorities. Many delegates signed up for phone banking, Day on the Hill and other Team MAPE opportunities. Thanks to all members of Team MAPE that helped make the Delegate Assembly a Huge success!

In solidarity,

 

 

Kendal Killian

Political Affairs Coordinator

March Political Report

Day on the Hill 2008 - A “highly successful” and “well organized” event

More than 120 Team MAPE members participated in the annual MAPE Day on the Hill event Wednesday March 12^th at the Capitol. Members heard from influential speakers including Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, House Majority Leader Tony Sertich. MAPE members utilized Day on the Hill to lobby their legislators to support early passage of the MAPE contract (SF 2620 - HF 3138) and workforce planning and retention legislation (SF 2736 – HF 3095) which aims to ease the impending workforce transition.

In an email following the event, MAPE First Vice President Andy Bindman remarked that it was a “highly successful” and “well organized” event. Please join us next year for MAPE Day on the Hill!

Team MAPE Action Training - May 30th/31st

MAPE will once again be working Erik Peterson from Wellstone to implement an Team training May 30^th and 31^st to be held at MAPE HQ in Shoreview. This training is based on the Camp Wellstone model and is an excellent entry point into legislative and political involvement. Registration will begin later this month.   

 

New Team MAPE PAC Board Members

Three new MAPE members have been added to the MAPE PAC board. They are: Sheila Scott, Molly Macgregor and Mark Proctor. Thank you to all that applied!

• Sheila Scott is comes from Local 602. She works as a staff attorney in the Department of Human Rights. Sheila lives in District 58A in North Minneapolis where she has served as precinct chair for more years then she cares to remember.
• Molly Macgregor is a member of Local 1502 and lives in District 4B in Walker. She currently serves as treasurer of her local party unit and as a volunteer campaign manager on a campaign for State House. Molly also worked on Dave Durenberger’s first campaign for US Senate in 1978.
• Mark Proctor is a member of Local 201 and lives in Bloomington (District 40B). In 2006, Mark volunteered 10 to 15 hours a week in support of MAPE PAC endorsed candidate, and now Senator, John Doll.

 
2008 MAPE Early Endorsements

The MAPE PAC board met earlier this year to determine 2008 “early endorsements.” Over 60 labor-friendly legislators met Team MAPE’s auto-endorse criteria for the 2008 election cycle. These elected officials deserve thanks for helping us achieve our recent legislative successes, including the passage of the salary supplement last year, and for their on-going support of professional public employees. Team MAPE will work to ensure these incumbents are reelected this fall. A few may even face primary challenges. To see the list, visit TeamMAPE.org.

2008 "Early Endorsements"

The MAPE PAC board met recently to determine “early endorsements.” Over 60 labor-friendly legislators met Team MAPE’s auto-endorse criteria for the 2008 election cycle. These elected officials deserve thanks from MAPE for their on-going support of professional public employees.

The 2007 session was one of the most successful in MAPE’s twenty-five year history. With your help, we attained at 3% biennial salary supplement that lead to a 3.25% across-the-board pay increase earned at the negotiations table. In addition, we passed anti-outsourcing legislation that will prevent the privatization of crucial state services. These legislators helped make those successes possible.

This year, MAPE will be working to get our contract passed as quickly as possibly. We will also be pushing workforce planning and retention legislation to assist the state in preparing for looming workforces changes.

What does it mean to earn “early endorsement?” Legislators who achieve this status have:

• Been endorsed by Team MAPE in the past
• Voted in support of MAPE issues
• Maintained a high labor vote ranking
• Demonstrated support of public employees

The Team MAPE endorsement includes mailings to members in specific districts, as well as volunteer and contribution assistance when available. Please support these MAPE friendly legislators at your caucuses and party conventions, and throughout 2008!

Office	First	Last	District
Representative	Tom	Anzelc	3	A
Representative	Joe	Atkins	39	B
Representative	Karla	Bigham	57	A
Representative	David	Bly	25	B
Representative	Kathy	Brynaert	23	B
Representative	Lyn	Carlson	45	B
Representative	Karen	Clark	61	A
Representative	Jim	Davnie	62	A
Representative	David	Dill	6	A
Representative	Augustine Willie	Dominguez	58	B
Representative	Al	Doty	12	B
Representative	Kent	Eken	2	A
Representative	Patti	Fritz	26	B
Representative	Rick	Hansen	39	A
Representative	Alice	Hausman	67	B
Representative	Debra	Hilstrom	46	B
Representative	Bill	Hilty	8	A
Representative	Frank	Hornstein	60	B
Representative	Melissa	Hortman	47	B
Representative	Tom	Huntley	7	A
Representative	Mike	Jaros	7	B
Representative	Sheldon	Johnson	67	B
Representative	Al	Juhnke	13	B
Representative	Phyllis	Kahn	59	B
Representative	Jeremy	Kalin	17	B
Representative	Margaret Anderson	Kelliher	60	A
Representative	Katherine	Knuth	50	B
Representative	Lyle	Koenen	20	B
Representative	Carolyn	Laine	50	A
Representative	Ann	Lenczewski	40	B
Representative	John	Lesch	66	A
Representative	Tina	Liebling	30	A
Representative	Bernie	Lieder	1	B
Representative	Leon	Lillie	55	A
Representative	Diane	Loeffler	59	A
Representative	Shelley	Madore	37	A
Representative	Tim	Mahoney	67	A
Representative	Carlos	Mariani	66	B
Representative	Paul	Marquart	9	B
Representative	Sandy	Masin	38	A
Representative	Frank	Moe	4	A
Representative	Terry	Morrow	23	A
Representative	Joe	Mullery	58	A
Representative	Erin	Murphy	64	A
Representative	Mary	Murphy	6	B
Representative	Mike	Nelson	46	A
Representative	Michael	Paymar	65	B
Representative	Aaron	Peterson	20	A
Representative	Sandy	Peterson	45	A
Representative	Tom	Rukavina	5	A
Representative	Brita	Sailer	2	B
Representative	Tony	Sertich	5	B
Representative	Steve	Simon	44	A
Representative	Nora	Slawik	55	B
Representative	Linda	Slocum	64	B
Representative	Loren	Solberg	3	B
Representative	Cy	Thao	65	A
Representative	Paul	Thissen	63	A
Representative	Tom	Tillberry	51	B
Representative	Ken	Tschumper	31	B
Representative	Jean	Wagenius	63	B
Representative	John	Ward	12	A
Representative	Ryan	Winkler	44	B

Team MAPE will continue it's endorsment process in June. Only candidates for State Representative were endorsed at this time. The Minnesota Senate is not up for election until 2010. For more information please contact Kendal Killian at kkillian@mape.org.

Political Affairs Report - January

2008 Precinct Caucuses
In Iowa on January 3rd, nearly 350,000 people participated in that state’s “first in the nation” caucuses, making it by far the most heavily attended in history.  Here in Minnesota, we will get our turn on Tuesday February 5th. Coined “Super Duper Tuesday,” approximately 24 primaries and caucuses will be held on that day nation-wide. 

Precinct caucuses provide a tremendous gateway into grass-roots politics for MAPE members. Caucus training will be held on January 29th, 7:00pm at MAPE. Caucus training materials are available for distribution in your regions by contact Kendal Killian at kkillian@mape.org. Team MAPE will also be distributing caucus resolutions supporting MAPE legislative priorities to bring to your caucus. For more information, please visit TeamMAPE.org.

• Click here to register for caucus training: http://www.teammape.org/regcaucus.html
• Click here to sign the "I will caucus" pledge: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/TeamMAPEcaucus

Happy New Year: Priority #1 – Keep the House majority!
What is Team MAPE’s New Year’s resolution? To maintain a friendly majority in the Minnesota House! MAPE has about 90 members in the House that we can count on to support of MAPE legislation. Because of the high number of supportive incumbents, our 2008 campaign strategy will be focused mostly on “defense,” defending the seats of vulnerable legislators. MAPE will work deliberately to organize members in key districts in support of these candidates.

Special Election- Senate District 25
January 3rd a Special Election was held in Senate District 25 to replace Senator-turned-judge Thomas Neuville. Education Minnesota member Kevin Dahle, buoyed by strong support in the city of Northfield, cruised to a 55% to 42% victory over prevailing wage opponent Ray Cox. With the addition of Senator-Elect Dahle, the DFL Senate Caucus now controls a veto-proof majority in the 67 seat body. 

MAPE PAC
At their final 2007 meeting, the MAPE PAC chose Cathleen Cotter as the next MAPE PAC Chair. Cathleen is an experienced political activist and a recent graduate of the Center for Advocacy and Political Leadership at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She was also a delegate to her party’s state convention in 2006. The PAC will meet later in January to fill vacant board positions, finalize the 2008 budget and discuss the endorsement process.

MAPE Action Team Training
As you know, MAPE held two intense grass-roots political trainings in 2007, preparing over 30 participants success in their legislative and political organizing efforts. MAPE staff is working with Erik Peterson of Wellstone Action to plan more training opportunities this year. These trainings are set for May 30th and 31st and September 5th and 6th. Formal registration will begin in April.

In solidarity,

Kendal Killian   
MAPE Political Affairs Coordinator

MAPE PAC to fill three board vacancies

The MAPE PAC currently has three vacancies that to be filled at the January meeting. Please contact MAPE Political Affairs Coordinator Kendal Killian at kkillian@mape.org for an application. Applications are due December 31st.

Applications will be evaluated based on experience, expressed commitment to the MAPE PAC and geographic diversity.

Caucus Training January 29th at MAPE

The Team MAPE Government Relations Committee will be hosting non-partisan caucus training on Tuesday January 29, exactly one week before state-wide precinct caucuses.

Precinct caucuses are a tremendous opportunity to get involved politically at the grassroots level. By attending caucuses, MAPE members will have a chance to vote for their parties Presidential nominee will be through a binding straw ballot. Attending your caucus is the first step in becoming a state convention delegate. In addition, attendees will also have the opportunity to submit resolutions for inclusion into your party’s platform. Attending caucus training greatly improves your chances of becoming a state delegate and maximizing your overall caucus experience.

The training will be held at MAPE headquarters in Shoreview, 3460 Lexington Ave N. For more information or to register, please contact Kendal Killian at kkillian@mape.org.