By all accounts, Team MAPE Day on the Hill Wednesday at the state Capitol was an extraordinary success.

“It was great,” said MAPE Statewide President Chet Jorgensen.

Nearly 200 MAPE members attended the event. Facing a nearly $5 billion state budget deficit, which may result in layoffs and cuts, both MAPE members and legislators are looking for solutions to the budget crisis. In her address to the attendees, state Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark asked members to stay on the lookout for ways to help the state save money.

Attendees also heard from speakers like Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher.  Members spread out around the Capitol for meetings with their state senators and representatives, resulting in nearly 400 member-to-legislator contacts.

In addition to the Capitol event, MAPE members from around the state participated in “Virtual” Day on the Hill, resulting in more than 800 additional legislative contacts.

Members specifically asked legislators to support universal health care and whistle blower protection. And they were asked to oppose a legislative wage freeze, elimination of corrections early retirement benefits, and changes to the state health-care pool. Attendees were given a legislative scorecard, allowing them specifically rate legislators on different issues.

MAPE members also told their personal stories, about how the severe recession is adding to their work load. For example, enrollment at North Hennepin Community College is up 8 percent as unemployed workers head back to school, resulting in more work for MAPE members. DEED employees are working to help unemployed workers receive support.  Legislators seemed responsive to the idea that this is the wrong time to cut these vital services.

Team MAPE PAC Chair Cathleen Cotter said both Sen. Mee Mou and Rep. Tim Mahoney were very supportive of state employee issues. She told them no vacancies have been filled in more than a year and, when co-workers leave, those who are left must decide what not to do.

"We all have full time jobs," Cotter said. "So when someone leaves, we have to allocate their work to the rest of us and determine what the priority work is."

Cotter was also impressed by the speakers. “They really seemed to understand the situation we’re in. I agreed with Speaker Kelliher when she said we should be prepared for some cuts, but that there must also be revenue increases, in order for us to get out of the hole we’re in. She really seems to get it.”

Our work with the state Legislature is far from over. Until a budget deal is reached, MAPE members will continually be asked to contact their legislators, asking for a balanced solution. For the latest updates on what’s happening at the Capitol, please visit TeamMAPE.org.