JRLC e-Xpress May 3

TAKE ACTION TODAY AND TOMORROW TO SAVE SAFETY NET
Tomorrow, Tuesday May 4, the Minnesota House of Representatives is expected to vote on its human services budget bill which includes cuts to the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).

MFIP provided necessary assistance to already very low income families in Minnesota and the proposed cuts would be devastating. Take action today by calling or emailing your house representative.

The House will probably vote on its human services budget bill Tuesday, May 4. We don’t want them to accept amendments that will make bad cuts even worse.

E-mail or call your representative: Let her or him know that there should be NO cuts to MFIP or General Assistance.

Talking points:

• General Assistance and MFIP are not budget-busters: Minnesota has not increased the amount of assistance it offers in those two programs since 1986. Together they account for only one half of 1% of state general fund spending.
• Unemployment rates among low wage workers are at depression-levels: But only half the unemployed workers in Minnesota qualify for unemployment insurance coverage. State data shows that most parents who enroll on cash assistance have recently lost jobs.
• Making sure people survive is the key function of the safety net. The meager assistance available through GA and MFIP are how people pay medical co-pays, contribute to rent, buy clothing , bus tickets, etc.

Contact your state representative TODAY. If you do not know who that is or his or her contact information, it takes less than 30 seconds to find out here.

Amendment: Close Corporate Tax Loopholes and Fund Social Programs
On Tuesday, Rep. Hornstein will be introducing an amendment to the human services budget bill that will close corporate tax loopholes and raise some much needed revenues that can be directed to restoring the devastating cuts to MFIP and other necessary social programs.

When you contact your legislators encourage them to support Rep. Hornstein’s amendment. Click here for our related blog post.

Advocate for Raising Revenues and Fair Taxation
Join JRLC and Invest in Minnesota on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 10:30am at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul for a briefing and preparation session. We will gather in the Rotunda of the Capitol at 12:00 noon and speak with our legislators about the need to raise revenues in Minnesota in a fair way. Click here for more information and email an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you can come.

As the 2010 legislative session comes to a close we must keep pushing for a balanced approach to budget shortfalls in the near term while building the momentum for positive long- term results that invest in Minnesota. NOW is a critical time to express your support for: Revenue-raising as a significant part of the solution to the state’s budget shortfalls.

Schedule for Wednesday May 5

Getting Prepared - 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Christ Lutheran Church - 105 University Ave., St. Paul, Fellowship Hall on lower level
We will provide: Tools and talking points and role playing conversations with legislators.

Taking Action - 12:00 – about 1:30 p.m.
State Capitol Rotunda
Actions will include: Brief gathering in the rotunda, forming groups by area to talk with legislators, and completing message cards to legislators.