“Our union is committed to finding waste and protecting vital services because even in the worst of economic times, Minnesotans deserve a good quality of life,” said Chet Jorgenson, president of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees.
Jorgenson and MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe were joined at a state Capitol news conference by Minnesota House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm.
“I want to thank our state employees who have stepped up to the plate and found waste and found ways we can have cost savings,” Sertich said.
 |
| MAPE President Chet Jorgenson addresses a state Capitol news conference as MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe (left) and House Majority Leader Tony Sertich look on. At left is a chart outlining cost savings that union members have identified. |
Mammoth deficit
In the legislative session that starts next month, lawmakers must resolve a $1.2 billion deficit in the state budget. MAPE leaders said the savings they have identified would reduce the shortfall by some $100 million. The solutions include reducing the $1.9 billion spent annually on outside contracts for state services and trimming the ranks of managers and political appointees.
The Pawlenty administration currently has one manager for every two supervisors, Monroe said. The governor also has employed approximately 160 political allies.
“Boy, for a group of fiscal conservatives who claim a philosophy of limited government, it is amazing how many of them will gladly accept a government job or appointment paid for by Minnesota taxpayers,” Monroe said. “This is not government reform, it’s political patronage and taxpayers need to know.”
The union urged Pawlenty to consider its cost-saving options before cutting more jobs and vital services. Sertich agreed.
“When you’re looking at the significant deficit before us, we need to do things differently,” he said. “I’d rather lay off a political appointee or cancel an out-of-state contract than make the decision to lay off a teacher, a nurse or a firefighter.”
Recommendations
Here are MAPE’s recommendations to save $100 million during the next two-year budget period:
• Save $80 million by reducing outsourced contracts by 2.25% - the same percentage the governor ordered cut to state agencies through unallotment.
• Cut the equivalent of 65 additional managers hired during the last fiscal year, saving $14 million.
• Save $4.6 million by banning all out-of-state travel.
• Review and possibly eliminate approximately $2 million in political patronage jobs and compensation for board appointments, including positions at the Metropolitan Council, Department of Administration and governor’s staff.
Last May, MAPE proposed eliminating $350 million in waste. The Pawlenty administration responded to MAPE’s suggestions by stepping up efforts to collect $225 million in delinquent income taxes, corporate taxes, sales and withholding taxes by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The administration also reduced out-of-state travel by $10 million annually.
“We are happy to see such savings, where revenue could be used for important and vital state services,” Jorgenson said. “But there is still more work to do.”
Monroe added, “Once again Governor Pawlenty, the members of MAPE ask that you put your political aspirations on hold, cancel all future appearances such as your February speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference and stay in Minnesota to solve our budget crisis.”
For more information
Visit the MAPE website
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“Our union is committed to finding waste and protecting vital services because even in the worst of economic times, Minnesotans deserve a good quality of life,” said Chet Jorgenson, president of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees.
Jorgenson and MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe were joined at a state Capitol news conference by Minnesota House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm.
“I want to thank our state employees who have stepped up to the plate and found waste and found ways we can have cost savings,” Sertich said.
|
| MAPE President Chet Jorgenson addresses a state Capitol news conference as MAPE Executive Director Jim Monroe (left) and House Majority Leader Tony Sertich look on. At left is a chart outlining cost savings that union members have identified. |
Mammoth deficit
In the legislative session that starts next month, lawmakers must resolve a $1.2 billion deficit in the state budget. MAPE leaders said the savings they have identified would reduce the shortfall by some $100 million. The solutions include reducing the $1.9 billion spent annually on outside contracts for state services and trimming the ranks of managers and political appointees.
The Pawlenty administration currently has one manager for every two supervisors, Monroe said. The governor also has employed approximately 160 political allies.
“Boy, for a group of fiscal conservatives who claim a philosophy of limited government, it is amazing how many of them will gladly accept a government job or appointment paid for by Minnesota taxpayers,” Monroe said. “This is not government reform, it’s political patronage and taxpayers need to know.”
The union urged Pawlenty to consider its cost-saving options before cutting more jobs and vital services. Sertich agreed.
“When you’re looking at the significant deficit before us, we need to do things differently,” he said. “I’d rather lay off a political appointee or cancel an out-of-state contract than make the decision to lay off a teacher, a nurse or a firefighter.”
Recommendations
Here are MAPE’s recommendations to save $100 million during the next two-year budget period:
• Save $80 million by reducing outsourced contracts by 2.25% – the same percentage the governor ordered cut to state agencies through unallotment.
• Cut the equivalent of 65 additional managers hired during the last fiscal year, saving $14 million.
• Save $4.6 million by banning all out-of-state travel.
• Review and possibly eliminate approximately $2 million in political patronage jobs and compensation for board appointments, including positions at the Metropolitan Council, Department of Administration and governor’s staff.
Last May, MAPE proposed eliminating $350 million in waste. The Pawlenty administration responded to MAPE’s suggestions by stepping up efforts to collect $225 million in delinquent income taxes, corporate taxes, sales and withholding taxes by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The administration also reduced out-of-state travel by $10 million annually.
“We are happy to see such savings, where revenue could be used for important and vital state services,” Jorgenson said. “But there is still more work to do.”
Monroe added, “Once again Governor Pawlenty, the members of MAPE ask that you put your political aspirations on hold, cancel all future appearances such as your February speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference and stay in Minnesota to solve our budget crisis.”
For more information
Visit the MAPE website