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

2. 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)

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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”)

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

8. 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

9. Contact Your Representatives
Call during the day
Call at night
Write a letter
Write an
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

10. 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