Invest in Minnesota We as MAPE members truly want to help solve our budget crisis. We believe we must invest in Minnesota's future. The Invest in Minnesota Campaign unites Minnesota's faith community, labor and nonprofit organizations around the following core principles: Revenue-raising must be a significant part of the solution to resolving the state's budget deficit. The overall package of fair revenue-raising must make the tax system more fair. Please contact your legislators and tell them to invest in Minnesota! Sample Letter for Campaign Subject: It's not easy Dear [ Decision Maker ] , These are tough times. It's not easy to raise taxes. In fact, it may be hardest vote you ever take, it's the right thing to do. Don't cut the vital public services we need most in these tough times. We can't afford to cut $5 billion from our state budget. Our schools can't afford it. Our health care system can't afford it. We must invest in Minnesota. The time has come to raise additional revenue through a more fair tax system. Please work to minimize the devastating impact drastic cuts will have on the most vulnerable among us. Thank you. Sincerely,

Campaign Launched: May 10, 2009

Background Information

Facing a $5.2 billion deficit, likely to grow to nearly $7 billion, we must minimize the damage the budget situation will cause us as state employees. By asking the legislature to raise revenues, we will minimize the impact devastating cuts will have on our state.