MAPE releases legislative scorecard, endorsements

Paul Demko//June 30, 2010//

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The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees has released its legislative rankings for the 2010 session. The public employees union scrutinized 16 House votes and 15 Senate votes in assessing the performance of legislators. Among the issues considered: support for the bonding bill and a plan to salvage the state’s General Assistance Medical Care program for poor individuals.

In the House, 34 legislators received perfect scores from MAPE, all Democrats. The highest ranking Republicans on the union’s scorecard: Reps. Larry Howes, of Walker (80 percent) and Steve Smith, of Mound (75 percent).

There were 17 senators who voted with the union on every scored issue, again all DFLers. Retiring Sen. Dennis Frederickson, of New Ulm, was the most MAPE-friendly Republican, voting with the union two thirds of the time.

MAPE has also released its list of endorsed candidates for 2010, almost all Democrats. One exception: GOP Rep. Jim Abeler, of Anoka. In addition, there are 55 House and Senate districts where the union hasn’t endorsed any candidate.