More on AFSCME’s Dayton endorsement

by Sarah Janecek, Politics in Minnesota

October 28, 2009

I’ll get to (fun) fact-checking of AFSCME executive director Eliot Seide farther down.

But first, one of the most intriguing aspects of AFSCME’s endorsement of DFLer Mark Dayton for governor is how it went down. About 150 members of the union’s screening committee met with all the DFL candidates — and GOP candidate Pat Anderson — for about 3 – 1/2 hours Saturday afternoon. They were done with the candidates about 4 p.m., and they had their decision shortly after 5 p.m.  When the last candidate left the room around 4, each AFSCME member then voted (vocally). When the voting was done, someone made the motion to endorse Dayton, which passed easily on a loud voice vote. That was it. No bickering. No debating. Deliciously decisive for Dayton. That’s surprising. All of the DFL candidates have favorable track records on AFSCME issues.

Which brings me back to what I wrote, earlier, today, but which now means more: the seasoned political troops that are AFSCME believe — in a deliciously decisive way — that Dayton can win the general election. So, now AFSCME works on turning out its 43,000 members and who knows how many friends and family to DFL precinct caucuses. If they succeed, that’s a force to be reckoned with, given at least nine other DFL candidates will be trying to do the same thing. If AFSCME can stay united and turn out the bodies, they could have a serious impact on the precinct caucuses.  [I don't have numbers handy, but I'm guessing, based on past attendance, that somewhere between 100,00 - 200,000 people will caucus with the DFL next year.]

The second most intriguing aspect of AFSCME’s endorsement is for a union coming out so early and so long before the DFL party officially endorses a candidate. Which brings me back to Seide. Several times in the last few months he’s mentioned that it’s been “almost 40 years” since the DFL Party has endorsed a candidate who has won the general election. Meaning:  The DFL endorsement does not translate that well into winning the general election.

Like others, I’ve sort of blown Seide off on the “almost 40 years” statement. That couldn’t possibly be right, could it? In this, our reputedly DFL-dominated state?

Turns out, that’s not quite correct, but the futility quotient for DFL gubernatorial endorsees over the past generation has been fairly remarkable nonetheless.

Let’s review general elections, going backward. GOPer Tim Pawlenty won in 2006, beating DFL-endorsed then-AG Mike Hatch, and in 2002, defeating then-Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe. In 1998, Jesse Ventura beat Skip Humphrey in the general, after Humphrey had beaten DFL endorsee Mike Freeman in that falls’ primary. In 1994, the DFL endorsed candidate was then-Sen. (and 2010 DFL gubernatorial candidate) John Marty (DFL-Roseville), who lost to then-incumbent GOP Gov. Arne Carlson.

In 1990,  then-DFL Gov. — and DFL-endorsed candidate — Rudy Perpich lost to Carlson, after the Minnesota Supreme Court — much to Perpich’s consternation — allowed Carlson to replace GOP-endorsed candidate Jon Grunseth (who was still not dry after jumping out of the pool).

In 1986, the DFL narrowly endorsed Perpich for a second term, but only after facing off against former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer in that year’s DFL primary. In 1982,  DFL AG Warren Spannaus was the endorsed DFL gubernatorial candidate who got beat by that Iron Range dentist, Sen. Perpich, who went on to win the general election.

In 1978, Perpich was the endorsed DFL candidate, but he lost to GOPer Al Quie. 1978 was a blow-out year for the GOP.  In 1976, when U.S. Sen. Walter Mondale,  was elected Vice President, then DFL Gov. Wendy Anderson appointed himself to the U.S. Senate.  In 1978, when U.S. Sen Hubert Humphrey died, he was temporarily replaced by his wife Muriel Humphrey. Not only did Perpich lose the governor’s race, but Anderson lost to GOPer Rudy Boschwitz, and DFLer Bob Short lost to GOPer Dave Durenberger.

Soooo, the last time a DFL Party endorsed gubernatorial candidate won the general election and became governor was in 1986. Twenty-three years ago, not “almost 40 years.” Still, that’s a generation and a lifetime in Minnesota politics.

Corrected: More on AFSCME’s Dayton endorsement (and fact-checking Eliot Seide)

Mark’s Statement accepting the AFSCME Council 5 endorsement

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
For further information, contact: Dana Anderson @ 612-333-2175

MARK DAYTON’S STATEMENT ACCEPTING AFSCME MINNESOTA COUNCIL 5’s ENDORSEMENT

Minneapolis, MN – “I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of AFSCME Minnesota Council 5. During my nine years heading three state agencies* I worked with many dedicated AFSCME Council 5  members. I know that we share the same commitment: Providing the best possible public services to the  people of Minnesota.

“Public employees have worked under extremely difficult conditions in recent years, with drastic cuts in state agencies, local governments, critical care hospitals, and the University of Minnesota.

“State employees have suffered under Governors, who attacked the government they were supposed to lead, and under their department heads, many of whom were political appointees unqualified to lead those agencies, and who opposed their essential missions to serve and protect the public.

“Local government, hospital, and U of M employees have had to endure continuing uncertainties about their very survival, due to continuing reductions in funding. Fewer and fewer workers do more and more. Our state workforce is one of the leanest and most productive in the nation. In fact, only 11 states have fewer state and county workers per 10,000 residents than Minnesota.

“Ignoring the facts, Republican candidates for Governor cling to their dangerous delusions that the next biennium’s multi-billion dollar deficit can be solved by merging a couple agencies or denying more people health care, or throwing more people out of work. They want to make government worse. I want to make it better.

“AFSCME Council 5 leaders and I agree that the principal solution to the next budget crisis is to raise taxes only on the wealthiest Minnesotans, who are not paying their fair share today.

“I believe in good government. I believe that good public services are essential. As Governor, I will work with dedicated AFSCME members to improve those services and make “A Better Minnesota.”

“This is a tremendously important endorsement. AFSCME Council 5 brings to my campaign the enormous political strength of their 43,000 members, over 70 percent of whom in the past have voted for their endorsed candidate. I will do everything I can during the next year to earn the support of all 100 percent!”

# # #

*MN Department of Economic Development, 1978; MN Department of Energy & Economic Development, 1983-1987; and Office of the State Auditor, 1991-1995

Download Press Release

AFSCME Council 5 a big coup for Dayton – Politics in Minnesota

by Sarah Janecek, Politics in Minnesota

October 26, 2009

Mark Dayton on the AFSCME endorsement – Minnesota Public Radio

by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio

October 25, 2009

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton said he’s honored to get the endorsement of AFSCME Council 5. The DFLer said the union’s backing will bring “enormous political strength” to his campaign.

Listen to Dayton here: Listen

(h/t MPR’s Jess Mador)

Mark Dayton on the AFSCME endorsement

Dayton gets AFSCME Council 5 endorsement – Minnesota Public Radio

by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio

October 24, 2009

The American federation of State, County and Municpal Employees Council 5 has endorsed former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton for governor.

AFSCME leaders made their pick late today after spending the day screening gubernatorial candidates. Executive Director Eliot Seide compared Dayton to AFSCME members in dedication to public service. He also noted the Democrat’s experience in winning previous statewide elections.

“He has the experience to lead us out of the budget crisis,” Seide said.

UPDATE

Here’s the AFSCME news release:

AFSCME ENDORSES MARK DAYTON FOR GOVERNOR(St. Paul) — Today, one of the state’s largest and most politically active unions – AFSCME Minnesota Council 5 – endorsed Mark Dayton for governor.

Union president Mike Buesing explains, “Mark Dayton is devoted to public service, like AFSCME members are. He’s been a public school teacher, a social worker, and he’s led three state agencies. Mark’s been a good boss and he’s got the experience to lead Minnesota out of its budget crisis. He wants our wealthiest citizens to pay their fair share of taxes so we can afford the vital public services that Minnesotans want and need during tough times. We believe Mark Dayton can make Minnesota work again.”

AFSCME Minnesota Council 5 hosted the first televised debate between gubernatorial candidates with 900 union members in the audience on Oct. 9. Then, on Oct. 24, the union’s executive board screened all 10 DFL candidates, as well as Republican candidate Pat Anderson. The candidates were weighed on working family issues and their electability.

“Mark Dayton has won statewide elections — twice,” says Eliot Seide, director of AFSCME Council 5. “Minnesotans know and like Mark. That’s because he listens more than any other candidate. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it’s obvious that he cares about people.”

AFSCME’s endorsement is a big prize. The union spent nearly $1 million on the 2006 governor’s race, mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers, and 70 percent of its members voted for the union’s endorsed candidate.

Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is one strong united voice for 43,000 public and non-profit workers who provide the vital services that sustain our quality of life in Minnesota. The union includes 20,000 state employees.

Dayton gets AFSCME Council 5 endorsement

AFSCME Council 5 News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2009
CONTACT: Jennifer Munt ▪ 651-287-0575 work ▪ 651-357-8544 cell

AFSCME ENDORSES MARK DAYTON FOR GOVERNOR

(St. Paul) — Today, one of the state’s largest and most politically active unions – AFSCME Minnesota Council 5 – endorsed Mark Dayton for governor.

Union president Mike Buesing explains, “Mark Dayton is devoted to public service, like AFSCME members are. He’s been a public school teacher, a social worker, and he’s led three state agencies. Mark’s been a good boss and he’s got the experience to lead Minnesota out of its budget crisis. He wants our wealthiest citizens to pay their fair share of taxes so we can afford the vital public services that Minnesotans want and need during tough times. We believe Mark Dayton can make Minnesota work again.”

AFSCME Minnesota Council 5 hosted the first televised debate between gubernatorial candidates with 900 union members in the audience on Oct. 9. Then, on Oct. 24, the union’s executive board screened all 10 DFL candidates, as well as Republican candidate Pat Anderson. The candidates were weighed on working family issues and their electability.

“Mark Dayton has won statewide elections — twice,” says Eliot Seide, director of AFSCME Council 5. “Minnesotans know and like Mark. That’s because he listens more than any other candidate. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it’s obvious that he cares about people.”

AFSCME’s endorsement is a big prize. The union spent nearly $1 million on the 2006 governor’s race, mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers, and 70 percent of its members voted for the union’s endorsed candidate.

Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is one strong united voice for 43,000 public and non-profit workers who provide the vital services that sustain our quality of life in Minnesota. The union includes 20,000 state employees.

###

AFSCME ENDORSES MARK DAYTON FOR GOVERNOR

In first bipartisan debate, gubernatorial candidates offer their solutions to hunger, poverty

by Jason Hoppin, Pioneer Press

October 14, 2009

Hunger — the empty-pocket, empty-pantry kind — brought together the first bipartisan grouping of Minnesota gubernatorial candidates Wednesday for a debate at St. Paul’s RiverCentre.

The topic proved a useful point of departure for the panel of seven Democrats and four Republicans, all of whom hope to replace GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is not seeking re-election next year. The candidates debated the role of Minnesota’s safety net, taxes and how to distinguish themselves from the crowded field.

“Solving hunger … is really about creating stability in people’s lives,” said state Rep. Paul Thissen, DFLMinneapolis,
broadening the debate by adding that people need affordable housing and health care to help fight hunger.

State Sen. Mike Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, said government housing and food regulations can get in the way of providing for people and urged that they be reconsidered. “We have to start getting rid of those government mandates and those rules and get back to something that makes sense for people,” Jungbauer said.

Republican Reps. Tom Emmer, of Delano, and Marty Seifert, of Marshall, widened the topic further, with both emphasizing that the best way to help people is to improve the jobs climate in the state.

“When you have good jobs, you have less deficits,” Seifert said.. “When you have good jobs, you have less welfare. When you have good jobs, you have more stable families, better communities, better education, more health care. Everything needs to be done through the lens of economic growth and having a stable economy.

“You must first reduce the size of our state government. Then, as part of the plan, you must reduce the cost of doing business in this state. Because we must stop the trend of private business leaving” for other states, Emmer said.

Responding to a question from moderator Mary Lahammer, a Twin Cities Public Television reporter, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said the state’s safety net has holes in it. She said she would work to establish a foundation on which people can build their lives, citing education, transportation and heath care.

“Unfortunately, for a lot of Minnesotans who are in poverty, the safety net now looks like a basketball net,” said Kelliher, a Minneapolis DFLer.

State Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, stands out among Democrats for his long-standing support of universal health care, and said health care should be just as available to people as police protection.

“You’ll take the problem away from the safety-net programs because we’ll treat people up front,” Marty said. The discussion of social programs pivoted to a discussion of taxes and the state budget.

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, a DFLer, said the state cannot continue to balance its budget through reserves or funding shifts, and that a governor must be honest with Minnesotans.

“There are needs that must be met, and we need a balanced budget, structurally balanced for the future, to do those things, or we’re not going to be able to help the people that need our help,” Gaertner said.

Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton said he would tax the wealthiest Minnesotans.

“The foundation of my platform is that we will raise taxes on the wealthiest 10 percent of people in the state,” Dayton said. “People who are making much more money than anyone in the history of this planet are paying less taxes and less taxes.”

That point exposed differences in the Democratic field, with the two Iron Rangers, Sen. Tom Bakk and Rep. Tom Rukavina, saying they did not support it.

Rukavina said the idea does not raise enough revenue, and he supports a broader surcharge on income taxes. He also disputed a Republican point that taxes stunt job growth.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with taxes. It has to do with education. That’s what creates good jobs,” Rukavina said.

Bakk — who urged Democrats to take a hard look at why they’ve lost every gubernatorial race since 1983 — said tax revenues aren’t what has caused the state’s recent budget woes.

“That budget deficit is a symptom of a larger problem. We have an underperforming economy in this state by spades,” said Bakk, a former union official who has positioned himself as a businessfriendly candidate. “You cannot negotiate a wage increase from a business that’s not making money,” he later added.

Jungbauer offered perhaps the most unique approach to taxes, saying he favored a flat tax or a system based on sales taxes.

“We need to tax consumption,” he said.

Leslie Davis, a pro-environment Republican candidate, was critical of the state’s use of bonding to balance the budget.
“You can pay debt with debt and get out of debt,” he said.

The debate was hosted by Hunger Solutions Minnesota as part of its annual luncheon, which was keynoted by broadcast journalist Cokie Roberts.

Republican candidates Pat Anderson, David Hann, Paul Kohls and Phil Herwig, as well as Democratic candidates Matt Entenza and Steve Kelley, did not attend.

Social issues kick off gubernatorial debate

by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger, Star Tribune

October 14, 2009

In the first bipartisan candidates’ forum, 11 folks who want to be governor in 2011 agreed Wednesday that no one should suffer from hunger in Minnesota, but their solutions spanned an ideological chasm ranging from new taxes to smaller government.

With so many candidates on the stage, none could go too deeply into the complex problems of hunger, poverty, the state’s budget or health care, but they did offer contrasting views of the problems and how state government should respond.

“We have got to deal with horrendous income inequality in our state and nation that continues to get worse,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, one of seven Democratic candidates at the Hunger Solutions Minnesota forum in St. Paul.

“You must first reduce the size of our state government and … you must reduce the cost of doing business in this state,” said Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, one of four Republicans who attended.

Rep. Marty Seifert also talked of shrinking government and changing what he called the state’s anti-job, anti-business attitude.

“My plan is to look at everything through the lens of common sense and job creation,” said Seifert, R-Marshall.

The Democrats were asked what taxes they’d raise if they became governor.

“I will raise taxes on the wealthiest 10 percent of the people in Minnesota,” Dayton said. “I will not raise taxes on the other 90 percent.”

Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, told the audience that he’d raise all of their taxes and his own through an income tax surcharge.

DFL Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said the time allotted was too short to give more than a political answer but added: “All the taxes should be on the table.”

Most candidates stressed the need to improve the state’s social service safety net.

“The safety net now looks like a basketball net,” House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, said.

Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, envisions changing the safety net so all Minnesotans have a right to health care.

Despite agreement on some of the problems, the candidates weren’t always in accord.

Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said the Democratic discussion of health insurance changes must evolve from how to cover everyone to include how to help those who have coverage.

But Rep. Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, said Bakk had missed the complications of the Democratic debate on health care and dinged Kelliher, who spoke of the need to set aggressive goals.

“We need a governor who is going to do much more than set goals, [but who is] actually going to come in and put in place some plans that gets us to meet those goals,” Thissen said.

The Republicans mixed it up a little less. When each was asked why he was better than his rival for the Republican party endorsement to succeed Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Emmer and Seifert both responded that they were alike in many ways. Seifert said the differences come down to style; Emmer said the differences come down to background.

Also attending the forum were Republicans Leslie Davis and state Sen. Mike Jungbauer.

Social issues kick off gubernatorial debate

DFL candidates discuss raising revenue at AFSCME-sponsored gubernatorial debate

by Michael Kuchta, Workday Minnesota

October 11, 2009

DULUTH - In the first televised debate in the 2010 campaign for Minnesota governor, all 10 DFL candidates told the AFSCME Council 5 convention Friday that the state must raise revenue to help solve its massive budget deficit. The candidates spoke to an energetic crowd of more than 800 delegates and other rank-and-file members – an eye-grabbing field of green in the Duluth convention center. The gathering marked the largest AFSCME convention ever in the state.

Once candidates got past trying to out do each other in boasting of their labor credentials, their AFSCME connections, or their affinity for the color green, their forum was generally short of fluff and serious in tone.

The key question for the public employees is how the candidates will tackle the state’s looming $7 billion budget
deficit – specifically, whether and how they will raise revenue as part of the solution.

Mark Dayton jumped on the issue first. The state must raise taxes on the wealthiest 10 percent of state households, he said without being asked. That stance makes it hard to raise campaign donations from his family, the former U.S. senator joked, but repeated: “If you do better, you ought to pay more. Read my lips: Tax the rich.”

Time to quit regressing
The state’s own Tax Incidence Study shows that millionaires pay only 8.8 percent of their income in state and local taxes. Average Minnesota households, on the other hand, pay 12.8 percent.

But State Sen. Tom Bakk said taxing the rich in and of itself won’t raise enough money to cover the state’s deficit. “We have to have an honest conversation about the state’s problems,” he said. “We’re all going to have to be willing to pitch in. We can’t just tax somebody else.” Bakk proposed restoring income tax rates across the board to their 1998 levels, then adding a fourth tier for the state’s highest earners.

Nearly all the candidates – former state Rep. Matt Entenza, former state Sen. Steve Kelley, current House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, state Sen. John Marty, state Rep. Tom Rukavina, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and state Rep. Paul Thissen – made reference in one way or another to the need for a more progressive state income-tax system or for raising more money from the state’s wealthiest households. But Bakk and Dayton were the only candidates to offer concrete revenue proposals.

“Of course we need to raise revenues,” said Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner. “Everybody knows it and has known it for a long time.” But she offered no specifics.

More than taxes
Most of the candidates also said that taxes alone won’t solve the problem, either. Kelley and Rybak said the state needs to broaden its revenue sources. Rybak, in particular, pointed out that under Gov. Tim Pawlenty, too much of the burden has fallen on local property taxes.

Bakk, Dayton, Rybak and Thissen said the state has to find ways to create jobs and put more people to work as a way of generating more revenue. Rukavina stressed the state’s need to invest in education to create some of those new jobs. Kelliher stressed the need to reinvest in infrastructure, including cellular and broadband technology in outstate Minnesota, to promote economic growth.

Marty and Thissen focused extensively on the need to control health costs while expanding health coverage as part of a budget solution. Pawlenty’s cuts to General Assistance Medical Care “crossed a moral line” that the state should not cross, Thissen said. Marty promoted his Minnesota Plan to expand the availability of affordable health insurance.

Kelley, Rybak and Thissen promoted taking a fresh look at how state and local agencies deliver public services. Kelley pledged to change the tone of relations between the governor’s office and the state’s workers. Thissen said the state needs to tap into the ideas of the people who do the work every day, and Kelliher was among those promising that AFSCME and other unions would have a seat at the table, would be partners with the governor, and more.

Coming to a TV station near you
The debate was moderated by Barbara Reyelts of Duluth’s Northland NewsCenter. It is scheduled to be broadcast in Duluth on Channel 9 from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 10, then by KBJR (Channel 6) in Duluth before being made available for broadcast statewide.

Council 5 also invited all major Republican candidates to participate, but none accepted. Council 5’s executive board plans to interview gubernatorial candidates for a possible endorsement on Oct. 24 in St. Paul.

Michael Kuchta is communications coordinator for Council 5. Visit the council’s website, www.afscmemn.org

DFL candidates discuss raising revenue at AFSCME-sponsored gubernatorial debate