JRLC e-Xpress November 16

GAMC Health Care Disaster Still Imminent
Earlier this month JRLC sent a letter to Commissioner Ludeman of the MN Department of Human Services pleading for action on what we called the looming 35K Disaster — the ending of health care coverage for 35,000 very poor, homeless, and disabled folks this coming March 1st (see JRLC Blog). A few days ago the administration announced that they would automatically move enrollees of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) into Transitional MinnesotaCare. Unfortunately, this plan delays the loss of coverage for thousands of vulnerable Minnesotans by only a matter of months. It also fails to solve the significant and expensive long-term problems that were created by the governor’s line-item veto of General Assistance Medical Care. Find out why here. This Wednesday November 18 at 3:30pm there is a gathering at Hennepin County Medical Center to protest the GAMC cuts...more details on JRLC home page.

2010 Census
Every 1 Counts in Minnesota! We are working with our good friends at the Minnesota Participation Project to make sure that Minnesota has the best possible count this coming Spring. Millions of dollars of federal funding are at stake as well as one of Minnesota's seats in Congress. Three important things for the faith community:

1. Local census jobs are available!
2. Congregations should consider forming a Complete Count committee or becoming a Questionnaire Assistance Center. Questionnaire Assistance Centers operate from February through April and are staffed either by a Census Bureau employee, or you can elect to have your own staff person hired upon completion of a test and training. Self-nominations are due ASAP to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Specialist; 651-707-4765. More resources here.
3. Congregations can help Minnesota get a better count of our snowbirds and other part-year residents by distributing this helpful handout. Non-counting of snowbirds really hurts Minnesota!

Give to the Max Day starts Tuesday 8:00 am, runs for 24 hours
You've probably heard about Give to the Max Day on Tuesday Nov. 17th. We've set things up so JRLC's non-profit research and education fund can receive gifts through GiveMN.org. All contributions will be matched, on a pro rata basis, when you donate on Give to the Max Day through GiveMN.org!  100% of your donation goes to the Joint Religious Education and Research Fund; no admin fees.

• Safe and secure online donation using your Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit cards
• Minimum contribution is $10, there is no maximum. 
• Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. 
• Matching gift offer valid for 24 hours during "Give to the Max Day" from 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, to 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18.

"Give to the Max Day" is a marketing campaign designed by GiveMN.org, a nonprofit organization serving all nonprofits in Minnesota by making it easy and free to receive donations online. Matching funds and transaction fees are covered by GiveMN.org's community partners and the match amount will depend on total donations made through GiveMN.org on "Give to the Max Day." For more information on GiveMN.org, please click here.

Congratulations to Rev. Peg Chemberlin
Minnesota Council of Churches executive director and JRLC board member, Rev. Peg Chemberlin, was elected president of the National Council of Churches last Thursday. She is devoting much of her national leadership activities to ending poverty. We are thrilled! Read MinnPost story here.

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