Seven billion dollar budget deficit! Got your attention?

Seven billion dollars, if inflation is included. That’s the size of the state budget deficit the next governor of Minnesota and the 2011 Legislature will have to resolve.

This is the grim reality facing MAPE members and all public employees a little more than 60 days before this fall’s election. To minimize the cuts to vital services and the loss of jobs, all MAPE members are asked to help elect a labor friendly governor and maintain labor friendly majorities in the Legislature.

MAPE members heard this news at the Campaign and Leadership Workshop on Thursday, Aug. 26, at the Sheraton in Bloomington. MAPE local officers and leaders attended the Officer and Emerging Leader Training Workshop Friday, Aug. 27.

MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe set the stage for leaders on the dire budget situation.  “The next legislative session is going to be one of extensive change for public employees,” Monroe said. “It could be good or it could be bad.”

Based on the current situation, the massive deficit can’t be erased with a revenue-raising-only solution or a cuts-only approach. That’s why MAPE members need to help elect a labor friendly governor and labor friendly majorities in the Legislature. “The cuts have to be done very carefully,” Monroe pointed out.

If you add to the picture that the state’s economy no signs of a quick recovery, this makes this November one of the most critical fall election cycles MAPE members have ever seen.

MAPE Legislative Affairs Director Richard Kolodziejski updated leaders on the past legislative session with an eye toward the budget-setting legislative session that begins in January. “Regardless of who gets elected to office, it’s not going to be easy this next legislative session,” Kolodziejski said. “Our single goal is to elect a labor-friendly governor and labor-friendly majorities in the Legislature.”

Leaders then heard presentations on MAPE’s two-pronged Elect Your Boss campaign. MAPE’s action to help elect a labor friendly governor and maintain labor-friendly majorities in the Legislature is working hand-in-hand with MAPE’s membership recruitment drive.

Legislative Affairs Coordinator Kendal Killian and Team MAPE PAC Chair Cathleen Cotter discussed the political activities to date and upcoming plans for the Elect Your Boss Red Team, which is leading this year’s election drive. MAPE has put together an extensive grassroots effort, which began with this year’s primary and extends through the general election.

MAPE members are needed to help out at phone banks and door knocks. Members are also encouraged to ask their coworkers and friends to help out. For more information, please contact Kendal at kkillian@mape.org. Check out MAPE’s endorsed candidates.

MAPE Organizer Kelly Russell and MAPE member Dean Gunderson discussed the activities and future plans for the Elect Your Boss Blue Team, which is MAPE’s membership recruitment team. The group talked about success stories and encouraged leaders to increase the member-to-member outreach at their worksites.

Members interested in helping with member recruitment efforts or organizing an event in their local should contact Kelly at krussell@mape.org.

Leaders from each region made action plans for improving communication, non-member outreach and political engagement in their areas. Plans were presented to the group, with plenty of idea-sharing and collaborative discussion. Members interested in taking action in their local are encouraged to contact their local president. 

To view more photos, please go here: Campaign and Leadership Workshop