Be at the Capitol MONDAY to Save GA and MFIP

Stand Together to SAVE GA and MFIP

What: Join us at the Capitol to bear witness to the release of the House budget proposals
When: We will gather at 12:15pm on Monday April 26, 2010
Where: Gather outside room 200 in the State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Saint Paul (Get directions and information about parking at http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.asp?subject=14 . The 16 bus travelling in either direction will drop you off at the State Office Building.)
Why: Because we will stand together with those who depend on General Assistance and MFIP, to ensure that our legislature does not balance the budget on the backs of the poor. 

Background: 
The Human Services budget committee for the MN House of Representatives will release its budget proposals at noon on Monday.  We want as many people there as possible to witness whether the House will follow the Governor’s lead in proposing cuts to the assistance very low income Minnesotans receive through General Assistance and the Minnesota Family Investment Program.

We want legislators to understand that GA and MFIP are the core of what is left of the safety net – especially for low wage workers who do not qualify for unemployment insurance or have access to short or long-term disability, family medical leave or paid sick leave. As long as only some workers qualify for unemployment insurance and only as long as some workers have access to paid sick leave, short and long-term disability insurance and family medical leave, then General Assistance and MFIP will continue to be necessary.

The Human Services committee is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. in room 200. We want to be there to greet them. Because the committee start time can be delayed because of other business at the Capitol, we will make sure you have an opportunity to hand-write a quick note to committee members and/or record a piece of video testimony. If you cannot come at 12:15, arrive when you can. Those who arrive later will replace those who have to leave early.

If there are not cuts to General Assistance or MFIP, we will thank legislators. If there are cuts, we will register our disappointment. But this will not be a rally – it will be about being present, about letting legislators know there are many Minnesotans who think we can go no further – in cutting away health care, in cutting away the most essential lifelines we offer each other. This is an action organized by the Stand Together Minnesota campaign. Affirmative Options is partnering with many allies in this campaign to uphold a core value of standing by each other and standing with each other. We know the well-being of our families, our communities and our state rely on our willingness to stand together.

Email Alison at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are able to come!