Let’s Get this Session Started!
Hey Everyone – welcome to the start of the 2019 legislative session! My name is Fatima Moore, and I’m the Public Policy Director for Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. Every Friday I will be sending an update to our Communications Director, and she will push it out to all of you! Please follow us through the 2019 session as it’s our biggest, boldest, most exciting ask yet. We can’t do our work without you — let’s do it!
On Tuesday legislators throughout Minnesota commenced at the Capitol to officially begin Minnesota’s 91st legislative session. We enter the session with the DFL holding a majority in the House of Representatives and the GOP leading the Senate.
As I reacquainted myself with the halls of the House of Representatives, they seemed relatively quiet as 55 incoming House staffers were in orientation. Without a doubt, we expect this session to full of excitement and the usual hustle and bustle.
The state’s projected $1.5 billion surplus (not counting for inflation or earmarked dollars) is the target of many issues. Tax conformity, healthcare, affordability childcare, gun measures, hands-free driving, education and more are top issues both parties have prioritized. We are also ensuring the homelessness, affordable housing, and supportive services stay constantly in their purview as well.
What MCH is actively pushing this session
MCH has a big and bold agenda this year, and we are very excited about it. This year we are advocating for a $15M investment to the Emergency Services Program and a $200/month increase to the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). We are also supporting the whole Homes for All legislative agenda, and Restore the Vote. What a big year!
Find it here: 2019 MCH Legislative Agenda
Homes for All Kickoff Events – You Should Attend
Homes for All is hosting two legislative kickoff events with one in Bemidji and the Twin Cities.
Bemidji
Date: Saturday, January 12, 2019
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; Panel begins at 10:00 am
Location: Calvary Lutheran Church, 2508 Washington Ave SE | Bemidji, MN 56601
METRO (ST. PAUL, MN)
Date: Tuesday, January 15th, 2019
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The program begins at 5:00 pm
Location: SpringBox! 262 University Av; Saint Paul, MN | Saint Paul, MN 55101
Say Hello to Our New Commissioners
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s new commissioner, Jennifer Ho, is no stranger to Minnesota nor to the issue of affordable housing. Commissioner Tony Lourey, Department of Human Services, is also a knowledgable of the vast services and programs DHS administers. We look forward to working with them.
Um…did you see who our Commissioner for Minnesota Department of Human Rights is? None other than Rebecca Lucera! Commissioner Lucero has a strong history with Homes for All and was one of the founding members of the coalition who helped lay the strong foundation we continue to work within and deepen. Congratulations to all of Minnesota’s commissioners!
We are excited to get to work this session — please follow along and look for our upcoming Action Alerts!
Until next week,
