State & Federal Advocacy 101 St. Stephen’s Human Rights Program Cathy Heying

Who are our Legislators? Lawyers Teachers Nurses Nonprofit Manager Business Owners Social Workers Psychologists Chiropractor Community Organizers Chief of Police Insurance Agents Economists Consultants Farmers CEOs Real Estate Agents Rep. Rena Moran (DFL) Rep. Jim Abeler (R) Sen. Amy Koch (R) MN has a citizen legislature. They’re not professional public servants. They have other jobs and most of them are not experts in a broad area. They depend on lobbyists, advocates, and constituents for information to make good decisions. In 2010 the majorities switched and there are now dozens of legislators making decisions in areas they know very little about because there is too much to learn. Sen. Gen Olson (R) Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL) Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL)

This year is a Bonding Year The session started in January and will go until May.

Governor Dayton’s Bonding Proposal $32 million for housing: $7 million for public housing upgrades $25 million for creation of new affordable housing Protects: Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance Program, Shelter Funding, Transitional Housing Program, Runaway & Homeless Youth Act, GA, GRH

What about that surplus? New revenue forecast will be out February 29th which will show the most accurate numbers. State law requires that money we’ve taken from savings must be replaced before any new spending can happen. If we do have money to spend, we would like to ask for $3 million to replace one time monies lost last year.

Legislature’s Proposals Bonding Policy The Legislature has not released their Bonding proposal yet. It is expected sometime in March. Voter ID (amendment) Mandatory drug test for MFIP/GA enrollees (paid for by the individual) MFIP time limit reductions Right-to-work (amendment) (I think this is where we “raise the heat”)

President Obama Federal Budget Proposal Will be released February 14th We anticipate needing a lot of advocacy this summer and fall on Federal issues.

TAKE ACTION! Who represents you? Federal (D.C.) Senator Amy Klobuchar Senator Al Franken Representative Keith Ellison (Minneapolis) Representative Betty McCollum (St. Paul) State (St. Paul) Governor Dayton 1 State Senator 1 State Representative

Contact Your Representatives Call during the day Call at night Write a letter Write an email Set up a meeting at the capitol Set up a meeting in your neighborhood Friend them on Facebook “Like” their Fan Page Follow their Twitter account

Other Ways to Stay Active Follow the MN Coalition for the Homeless on Facebook for Action Alerts. Come to their lobby day March 8! Join advocates from around the state on a conference call at 3pm every Thursday Connect your friends and families with their legislators in greater MN and surrounding suburbs