AFSCME’s Day on the Hill rally raised a ruckus in the Capitol rotunda this session. At least 1,000 members met with their legislators Feb. 17 to help shape a state budget that will put Minnesota back to work. With loud voices and strength in numbers, no one could ignore our message: Raise revenue fairly to save our jobs and the vital services that Minnesota needs. Watch the video.

Read our issue sheets so you can hold your state legislators accountable:

• State budget
• Aid to local governments
• General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC)
• Pensions and early retirement incentive

Our legislative priorities:

• Raise revenue, including fair taxes on the richest individuals and corporations.
• Protect the essential public services that families need most during tough times. 
• Save and create good jobs to jumpstart economic recovery.
• Restore aid to state and local governments to stabilize property taxes.
• Rescue General Assistance Medical Care.
• Stop privatization that threatens the quality of public services.
• Defend pensions so public employees can retire with dignity.
• Mitigate layoffs with an early retirement incentive for state employees.

Jacque Boever of Local 517

Jacque Boever, of Washington County Local 517, gets fired up in the Capitol rotunda.

AFSCME members visit Marty Seifert

Governor-wannabe Marty Seifert doesn’t have time for Larry Blomme, of Marshall DOT Local 605, who left a piggy-bank as a reminder to raise revenue.

Tameika White of Local 4001 & Rep. Cy Thao

Tameika White, of MnSCU Local 4001, listens carefully to answers from Rep. Cy Thao.

Sen. Berglin

Sen. Linda Berglin seems shocked when Andrea Lazo Rice, of Hennepin County Local 34, tells her to “get a spine and raise revenue.”

Local 404 members

Molly Kennedy, of Local 404, and other members from the St. Peter and Mankato areas listen to Sen. Kathy Sheran.