Update from the JRLC

A key legislative committee is considering the Governor's budget proposals to:Eliminate General Assistance - that provides $203 a month in income support to adults unable to work because of very serious illness or disability; andTake income assistance away from 7,000 families who have a parent or child with disabilities and are on the Minnesota Family Investment Program, leaving those families to live on disability support only at deep poverty levels. (Another 900 families in which the parent of a child with disabilities or the spouse of someone with disabilities would lose all or much of their child care assistance, jeopardizing their ability to continue working.)Defund the Emergency General Assistance which provides one-time emergency help to keep adults from becoming homeless or for those who are homeless to get re-established in stable housing.The MN House Health & Human Services Finance Committee will be deciding over this Passover/Easter break whether to accept or reject the Governor's proposals. The following committee members have influence over this decision. Please email them and say, "Please protect funding for General Assistance, Emergency General Assistance, and MFIP families. Don't balance the budget on those who have the least."

Rep Jim Abeler, Anoka rep.jim.abeler@house.mn

Rep Tom Anzelc, Balsam Township rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn

Rep Julie Bunn, Lake Elmo rep.julie.bunn@house.mn

Rep Patti Fritz, Faribault rep.patti.fritz@house.mn

Rep Jeff Hayden, Minneapolis rep.jeff.hayden@house.mn

Rep Larry Hosch, St. Joseph rep.larry.hosch@house.mn

Rep Thomas Huntley, Duluth rep.thomas.huntley@house.mn

Rep Tina Liebling, Rochester rep.tina.liebling@house.mn

Rep Erin Murphy, St. Paul rep.erin.murphy@house.mn

Rep Mary Ellen Otremba, Long Prairie rep.maryellen.otremba@house.mn

Rep Sandra Peterson, New Hope rep.sandra.peterson@house.mn

Rep Maria Ruud, Minnetonka rep.maria.ruud@house.mn

Rep Bev Scalze, Little Canada rep.bev.scalze@house.mn

Rep Nora Slawik, Maplewood rep.nora.slawik@house.mn

Rep Cy Thao, St. Paul rep.cy.thao@house.mn

Rep Paul Thissen, Minneapolis rep.paul.thissen@house.mn

If you are not a constituent, please find a friend, family member, old classmate, colleague, board member, or somebody who is and ask them to send an email!