Governor, please help us save state funds.
Call the Governor at (651) 296-3391
or Toll Free: (800) 657-3717On his radio show on April 11th, Governor Pawlenty invited MAPE and other unions to help him find ways to save the state money. The MAPE Negotiations Team took the governor's words to heart and found innovative ways to reduce spending without cutting vital services. Here is what the MAPE team proposed:
First, the State of Minnesota currently does not collect an average of $30 million a quarter that is owed us, the taxpayers. The approximate savings for more active revenue collections is $120,000,000 for one year and $240,000,000 for the biennium.
Second, MAPE has proposed streamlining bloated management-to-staff ratios. If Minnesota non-profits had management ratios as high as some state agencies were, they would not be eligible to receive state grant funds. The yearly savings would average out to $50.7 million annually and the savings would be over $100 million for the biennium.
Third, the State of Minnesota needs better oversight when contracting to outside vendors. $1.9 billion in outside contracts were issued in 2008. We should look at contracted jobs that can be completed by state workers. This will result in good fiscal belt-tightening. Based upon past performance of private contractor costs versus state employee labor costs, MAPE estimates state agencies could save, conservatively, up to 20% of the $1.9 billion. In total, this would save $380 million.
When management responded after hearing these MAPE proposals to save state funds, their spokesperson said that the MAPE proposals are not issues to be resolved in collective bargaining. By not entertaining innovative ideas to save real money, the governor's team negotiating approach defies good fiscal management and common sense.
Our collective voice can be just as strong as the Governor's at the Capitol!
- Call the Governor TODAY 8 am and 4:30 pm, to ensure somebody must listen to you.
- When calling Governor Pawlenty's office, please give your name and address.
- Explain you are a MAPE employee, and you are concerned that the Governor's negotiating team is not accepting our suggestions for how to safe state funds.
- The Governor asked for our suggestions and now representatives of his administration are not listening to our suggestions.
- Ask that the Governor stop working against state workers, and start working with us to reach a fair compromise on the contract and solve the state budget crisis. Also ask for a response.
Call the Governor at (651) 296-3391
or Toll Free: (800) 657-3717
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Yes, I will call Governor Pawlenty!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
YES! I pledge to call Governor Pawlenty during business hours and tell him I am concerned that the Governor's negotiating team is not accepting our suggestions for how to save state funds.
I will remind them that the Governor asked for our suggestions and now representatives of his administration are not listening to our suggestions. The MAPE proposals could save the state $700 million dollars!
Signed by:
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Campaign Launched:
April 22, 2009
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