With only hours remaining before a possible state government shutdown Thursday night, state workers and others held a candlelight vigil on the steps of the state Capitol.
"State employees are doing their job," said AFSCME Council 5, the largest union representing state employees. "It's time politicians like Governor Pawlenty and the Legislature started doing theirs!"
Earlier in the day, state employee unions delivered a letter to the offices of the governor and legislators. It condemned Republican opposition to a "light's on" bill that would maintain minimal public services while budget negotiations continue.
"A shutdown equals failure," union leaders said in the letter. "It would idle some 15,700 state employees. Our members want to work. They want to continue providing world-class services to Minnesotans.
"Don't fail state employees and the citizens of Minnesota," the letter continued. "Find the revenue. Get the job done."
Republican Pawlenty, the GOP majority in the House and the DFL majority in the Senate have been deadlocked over the state budget. When no agreement could be reached during the regular 2005 session that ended in May, Pawlenty called a special session.
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With only hours remaining before a possible state government shutdown Thursday night, state workers and others held a candlelight vigil on the steps of the state Capitol.
“State employees are doing their job,” said AFSCME Council 5, the largest union representing state employees. “It’s time politicians like Governor Pawlenty and the Legislature started doing theirs!”
Earlier in the day, state employee unions delivered a letter to the offices of the governor and legislators. It condemned Republican opposition to a “light’s on” bill that would maintain minimal public services while budget negotiations continue.
“A shutdown equals failure,” union leaders said in the letter. “It would idle some 15,700 state employees. Our members want to work. They want to continue providing world-class services to Minnesotans.
“Don’t fail state employees and the citizens of Minnesota,” the letter continued. “Find the revenue. Get the job done.”
Republican Pawlenty, the GOP majority in the House and the DFL majority in the Senate have been deadlocked over the state budget. When no agreement could be reached during the regular 2005 session that ended in May, Pawlenty called a special session.