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MSEA Day On The Hill Recap

3.8.11.  MSEA, in partnership with AFSCME Co. 65, held our annual Day on the Hill on March 2. A record 53 MSEA members and guests from across the state participated in this successful event! In the morning, members heard from a variety of speakers, including MSEA President Evan Mapes and Executive Director Christina Clark. Members also heard from Kim Dupre from Wisconsin about their struggle to maintain their collective bargaining rights. We were reminded that it is only Governer Dayton’s veto that keeps us from facing the same challenge. We also heard about how to discuss our issues and were reminded to keep in regular contact with our legislators outside of our annual DOTH.

In the afternoon, we boarded buses to the Capitol to begin our day of fun and lobbying! Representative Mary Murphy joined us there for a detailed update on pensions and Senator Tony Lourey provided an interesting perspective on a number of the anti-worker bills currently pending in the House.

Members then visited their own legislators to share their stories and remind them that funding education is more than just teaching! Several members also participated in a guided tour of the Capitol as part of our busy but productive day.

Day on the Hill is a valuable opportunity for MSEA members to visit with legislators and share their concerns regarding education and health care. It was fantastic to see members wearing their MSEA maroon t-shirts and getting MSEA’s name out on the political landscape as a viable and important player in Minnesota politics. Please help build our presence by contacting your local legislators and telling them who we are, sharing your concerns and your story. And don’t forget to thank your legislators for the service they do for our state. Finally, plan for doubling the number of MSEA members for the DOTH in 2012! Members, we need your voice now more than ever!