FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2010
CONTACT: Jennifer Munt ▪ 651-287-0575 work ▪ 651-357-8544 cell                       click here for PDF

(St. Paul) — Today, one of the state’s largest and most politically active unions – AFSCME Minnesota Council 5 – announced its endorsement of Rebecca Otto for reelection as State Auditor.

Union director Eliot Seide explains, “AFSCME shares Rebecca Otto’s commitment to efficient, high-quality public services. Now, more than ever, we need a State Auditor who is vigilant about good government and honest budgeting.”

Seide says, “Otto has a solid record of working for innovations that make government more efficient. All her opponent Pat Anderson does is bash government and that gets us nowhere.”

“AFSCME applauds Rebecca Otto for exposing the no-new-taxes myth that has shifted the state’s financial mess onto property taxpayers who can’t afford to pay more,” says Seide. “As State Auditor, Otto has been a strong advocate for local governments struggling with cuts in state aid. She has helped them reduce overhead and save energy costs while protecting jobs and improving services. That helps communities stabilize property taxes and save their police, fire protection, parks and libraries.”

Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is a union of 43,000 workers who advocate for excellence in public services, dignity in the workplace, and opportunity and prosperity for all working families. The union represents workers in the State Auditor’s office.

###