Legislative Wrap Up: Historic Changes for Striving Families
Here is a list of all the affirmative and positive MFIP policy changes that passed last week. Your Prosperity for All support and advocacy paid off in big ways! EDUCATION. The MFIP workforce education changes will take effect July 1, 2014: Unlimited participation will be allowed in adult basic education, GED coursework, ESL, and post-secondary education/training (including 4-year programs). Several statutory barriers […]
ACTION ALERT: Ask legislators to VOTE YES!
Both the Senate and House released their bonding proposals. The bill may head to the House Floor as soon as Friday. Can you make three phone calls now? ***Action Alert*** 1. Call your state senator and state representative ASAP. Ask them to VOTE YES on the bonding bill and to support $100 million in bonds for housing. Find who represents you. 2. […]
The New Face of Homelessness
Rochester Schools homeless liaison Melissa Brandt wrote an illuminating piece about homeless students and the role of government and individuals in meeting their needs. Did you know public schools had a homeless liaison? As the homeless liaison, Melissa Brandt helps assist those kids and their families experiencing homelessness. Brandt eloquently stated: “Honestly, most of the […]
Walk a Mile
Policymaking 101 requires you to put yourself in the shoes the people affected. Let’s jump into the shoes of one of the 10,000 adults without a high school diploma or GED who participate in Minnesota’s welfare program (Minnesota Family Investment Program, or MFIP). MFIP is the primary economic safety net for low-wage workers with children. COUNSELOR: […]
*Building* Support: Letters to the Editor
As the first phase of the legislation session wraps up, lawmakers are hunkering down. In the coming weeks, they will be decide what to include in the final bonding bill package. Sending a letter to the editor is an effective way keep housing on lawmakers’ radar and raise awareness among the general public. We know […]
Join us in thanking legislators
Good news came out of the Capitol last week. The House Capital Investment Committee released it’s bonding bill proposal: it includes $100 million for housing! The Senate will release its bonding proposal next month. The MFIP Workforce Education Bill was also approved by key committees. Lawmakers will need to decide if it will be included in the final Health […]
At the Capitol: Homes for All Bill Hearing
[View the story “Homes for All: Bond for Housing” on Storify]
2014 Legislative Session: Advocacy Check List
The legislative session kicks off February 25, 2014. Governor Dayton is calling this year the “un-session.” We know it will be shorter than usual. Your advocacy is more important than ever in the coming weeks for two reasons. First, lawmakers need to know housing and economic opportunity are a priority this year–even on a short […]
Minnesota aims to end veteran homelessness this year
Exciting news! City and state officials recently announced they will aim to end veteran homelessness in Minnesota this year. With about 350 homeless veterans counted in the entire state last year, it is an attainable goal. Liz Kuoppala, Executive Director of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, stated: “We applaud the commitment to ending veteran […]