Tell Governor Pawlenty to Support Workforce Planning

Have you ever heard the adage, "failing to plan is like planning to fail?"

With 30% of all state employees on the verge or retirement, Minnesota is about to experience a major workforce transition. MAPE supports measures to help the state prepare for this shift by saving money on employee turnover, retain knowledgeable state employees beyond the date they are eligible to retire, and encourage long term employees to extend their service, aiding the training of new employees.

This provision is in HF 1812, the Omnibus State Budget Bill. Despite issuing an Executive Order outlining the urgency of this issue, Governor Pawlenty has indicated that he may not support the workforce planning provision.

He seems unwilling to plan now, thus we all risk failing later. Contact Governor Pawlenty and ask him to support workforce planning and work with legislative leadership to begin the workforce planning process.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

Have you ever heard the adage, "failing to plan is like planning to fail?"

As a member of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, I take great pride in my work. But unless we begin planning for the upcoming workforce transition now, we may all fail later.

We thought you were aware of how serious this matter is. However, in your recently released statement on "Supplemental Budget Concerns," dated April 24, 2008, you labeled this measure a "Compensation Increase" issue.

This issue, addressed through a provision in HF 1812, is not a "compensation increase" matter. This provision relates to workforce planning and retention. As you know, Minnesota is about to experience a major workforce transition.

30% of all state employees are eligible for retirement in the next 3 years. Nearly 50% of the remaining workforce is eligible to retire in the next 5 years. These problems are real.

Your office is well aware of this pending crisis. You issued an Executive Order outlining the urgency of this issue. Several commissioners and the state demographer have expressed concerns over these same issues in various committees during the current legislative session.

This provision will help the state prepare for this transition by saving money on employee turnover, retaining knowledgeable state employees beyond the date they are eligible to retire, and encourage long term employees to extend their service, aiding the training of new employees.

As this session comes to a close, I urge you to support this important effort by preserving the Workforce Planning and Retention provision.

Plan now or fail later. It's your choice.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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Governor Tim Pawlenty

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