June 30, 2005

People's Legislature meets to remind
policymakers of Minnesotans' priorities
Minnesota is Watching, a coalition of nonprofit, labor and faith groups and of which MAPE is a charter member, held a "People's Legislature" on Tuesday at the State Capitol to call on policymakers to agree on a budget and avoid a government shutdown.

As legislative leaders and the governor try to find an 11th-hour solution to the state's budget stalemate, the "People's Legislature" was in session at the State Capitol Rotunda. Coalition spokeswoman Marcia Avner with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits reminded policymakers what the priorities are of most Minnesotans.

"They support increased revenues to ensure that we have adequate health care, adequate funding for education, and a transportation-transit system that works," Avner said. "When we need revenues for the things that are important, we are willing to pay taxes, if we're going to do the things that we care about and that matter to us."

Below are scenes from the people's Legislature. (Please click on the thumbnails to see larger photos.)