State employee union proposes cutting Pawlenty appointees

Minnesota's second largest state employees union says Gov. Tim Pawlenty can help solve the state's budget problem by reducing the number of management positions and outside contracts in his administration.

Officials with the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees Thursday outlined $100 million in spending they say should be cut. With the state facing a $1.2 billion deficit, they say too much information technology work is being done by companies from outside of Minnesota.

Union executive director Jim Monroe also says the Republican governor is giving too many questionable management jobs to political allies.

"For a group of fiscal conservatives who claim a philosophy of limited government, it is amazing how many of them will gladly accept a government job or appointment paid for by Minnesota taxpayers," said Monroe.

A spokesman for the governor said there will be state employee layoffs because of the budget shortfall, and recommended the union lower its dues to provide relief to its members.

DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich says budget committees will consider the union's recommendations.