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We are part of the solution
Contract negotiations wrapped up Wednesday. Now we must turn focus to the legislative budget process. We need to remind legislators about the important work we do for Minnesota.We also need to tell legislators about our willingness to help them save the state money.
This message lays out specific ways the state could save millions of dollars. It also links to a comprehensive PDF file documenting these savings.
We as MAPE members truly want to help solve our budget crisis. Hopefully these solutions will help us move closer to that goal.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: We want to be a part of the solution
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am a proud member of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. When it comes to the deficit crisis, we want to be a part of the solution.
On his radio show on April 10th, Governor Pawlenty invited MAPE and other unions to help him find ways to save the state money.
We at MAPE took the governor's words to heart and found innovative ways to reduce spending without cutting vital services.
Here are a few specific examples of how the state could save millions of dollars:
First, we have learned state agencies issued $1.9 billion in private contracts in 2008. Just a small reduction in that amount would save millions.
For example, the Department of Labor and Industry has spent $9.5 million on outside contracted electrical inspectors in the current fiscal year. If 60 state employees had been hired to do this work, the total cost would have been about $6 million, a savings of over $3 million.
Second, the State of Minnesota fails to collect an average of $30 million a quarter, owed to the taxpayers of Minnesota. This means approximately $120 million in revenue remains annually uncollected.
Third, our state government seems to have a bloated management to staff ratio. State non-profit guidelines say funds will not be granted to organizations with a management-to-staff ratio over 15%. Many state agencies exceed this threshold. Millions could be saved by putting the state more in line with the standards it sets for non-profit entities.
Fourth, the state spent over $13 million in 2008 on out-of-state travel. If we are "tightening our belts," doesn't that seem like a logical expense to cut?
For more information and documentation of these claims, please visit this link: http://www.teammape.org/Solution.pdf
We understand these are very trying times. Let's work together to find a consensus solution to the problems we face.
Sincerely,
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