AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Julie Bleyhl has released the following statement:

“AFSCME Council 5 represents over 43,000 state, county, city, non-profit and private sector workers who provide critical services that all Minnesotans benefit from and deserve. They staff our state parks, ensure our correctional facilities are secure, keep our district courts operating, staff our group homes, hospitals, clinics and much more. Our members will continue to urge Congress to pass an additional massive state and local government funding package. We will not cut our way out of this global pandemic.

Through several years of sound budgeting principles under Governors Dayton and Walz, Minnesota has built up a strong “rainy day” fund to get us through difficult times like these. Working together and investing in public services at this time of great need will get us through the many unknowns caused by COVID-19. Investing in such services has a positive return on investment, saves and transforms lives, and ensures that Minnesota remains one of the best run states in the nation.

We want to thank Governor Walz for his leadership and his thoughtful and decisive actions and working with us to protect the lives of Minnesotans."

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