By Baird Helgeson
State Auditor Rebecca Otto racked up a couple
union endorsements Monday in her reelection bid.
Here's what the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49
had to say in a release:
“With governments running tight budgets, we commend Otto in her
effort to help tighten oversight and cut waste to save jobs,” said
Glen Johnson, Local 49’s business manager. “Since taking office, Otto
has persistently fought to ensure hardworking Minnesotan’s know how
their tax money is being spent.”
One of Otto’s biggest commitments is helping the state and local
governments cut overwhelming energy costs where possible. In 2009, the
National State Auditors Association (NSAA) recognized her report for
best practices in energy savings with its Excellence in Accountability
Award.
As auditor, Otto oversees more than $20 billion spent annually by
local Minnesota governments. Her office is also responsible for
reviewing investment and financial reporting for more than 700 public
pension plans, covering approximately 20,000 people.
“Lax financial oversight has allowed unethical financiers to fleece
too many middle-class Minnesotans out of their retirement savings in
recent years,” said Adam Duininck, Local 49’s political director.
“With Otto in charge, we can be confident she’ll keep those handling
our money honest.”
Earlier in the day, members of the Minnesota Association of
Professional Employees threw their arm around Otto, the first woman
Democrat to be elected to the post.
The state's largest union of professional state employees praised
Otto, who also serves on the State Board of Investment, for
safeguarding members' pension investments.
“As our budget situation continues to worsen, it will be vitally
important that we keep our financial house in order. That is why we
support Rebecca Otto,” MAPE executive director Jim Monroe said in a
statement. “Like we did when she first ran in 2006, we are proud to
endorse Rebecca in 2010.”
MAPE has more than 12,700 members, including many in the auditor's
office, the union said.
“MAPE looks forward to partnering with Rebecca for another four
years," Monroe said. "We will continue working together to solve our
budget crisis."
