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Welcome to MAPE's weekly update from the Capitol. I'm Richard Kolodziejski, MAPE's Legislative
and Communications Director. Last Thursday, the contract received its final hearing, which
was on the floor of the House of Representatives. The bill passed with some bi-partisan support
and now is on its way to the governor's desk. As soon as we get confirmation that the governor
has signed the bill and a date for the two percent backpay, we will get you the information
through our website and social media outlets. Representative Abeler, thank you for joinining
us here today. We are outside the House gallery following the state labor contract vote. First
of all, thank you for joining us. Second of all, thank you for your vote in support of
the labor contracts. Tell us what it means to you to vote in support of the contracts
today. Well, it't not a hard vote. We have some great
state employees and they haven't had a raise in some cases in four years or more. It was
easy. We have some great state employees and I'm not just saying that, I've gotten to know
quite a few and they provide good services 24/7 day and night and in jobs that are sometimes
very challenging personally. So to me it was an easy vote.
What does it mean to you to be able to take this vote on behalf of the constitutents and
the state workers and public employees in your distrcit today.
Actually, it actually makes me feel good. There was some argument on the floor if you
didn't hear, about people who objected, but really, we have to pay our people fair. I
think they earned it and if you pay people well they'll hang around. If they deserve
a bit of a raise, they ought to get one. It was my pleasure to be one of 83 votes, or
whatever it was, to pass the contract. As you know Rep. Abeler, we have state employees
that come from all areas of the state of Minnesota. What areas in your district are especially
notable that your state employees work at? Well, the Anoka Treatment Center- there's
a whole bunch of challenges there. Certainly some of the risks they take working and trying
to get home in one piece. Caring for some people who are very high needs and frankly
dangerous sometimes. If this is a small way to say thank you, then thank you. I appreciate
your work. Again, thank you for your support for state
workers over the past several years that I've been working down here and certainly well
before that. Thank you again for joining us tonight.
That's all the news this week. We want to thank State Representative Jim Abeler for
joining us. And remember MAPE's Day on the Hill will be Thursday, March 14. We want to
see you there. Don't forget to go to Team MAPE and sign up today. We've already begun
making appointments for MAPE Day on the Hill. Looking for the latest news on the 2013 Session?
Check out MAPE's website, Facebook page and Twitter feed to get up-to-the-minute coverage
on the issues that affect you. See you next week for MAPE's legislative update.