In this issue:
- Updates in Minnesota
- Updates from Washington, D.C.
- Mark Your Calendars
Updates in Minnesota
From Minnesota Budget Project:
MN Budget and Economic Forecast
The state of Minnesota’s budget forecast announced earlier this week showed a large and uncommon projected surplus. The surplus is a total of $7.7 billion for the current two-year budget cycle. This means that policymakers can distribute this money to different communities and sectors that might need investing. These sectors might include healthcare, affordable housing, child care, etc.
These forecasts reflect strong economic growth in Minnesota. The projections also show a positive structural balance of $6 billion in the next biennium, although that number drops to $4.8 billion when inflation is included.
Read more about the budget forecast here.
Updates from Washington, D.C.
From the Arc US:
Tell Your Senators: Pass the Build Back Better Act
The U.S. House of Representatives just passed the Build Back Better Act. Now it’s time for the Senate to act so this bill can be signed into law!
The Build Back Better Act would improve the quality of life for millions of people with disabilities, their families, and the direct support professional workforce.
It would:
- Expand access to Medicaid home and community-based services for people with disabilities on waiting lists.
- Create a national paid leave program. We should invest in our care services and pass a paid leave program that guarantees paid leave to family caregivers.
- Improve and expand the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Many people with disabilities rely on Supplemental Security Income. Many are not given full benefits. This limits how much they can save for emergencies. If Supplemental Security Income is improved, many people with disabilities can be lifted out of poverty.
Contact your Senators TODAY and urge them to pass this bill because #CareCantWait.
From American Association of People with Disabilities:
Centering Disability in Technology Policy
Today, AAPD is proud to release a new report with the Center for Democracy & Technology called, “Centering Disability in Technology Policy. This is a plain language version of the report.
Technology can help disabled people get more access. Technology can help disabled people be more independent. But technology can also hurt disabled people. This report reviews some of the ways that technology can hurt and help disabled people. People who make new technology need to be careful, to make sure their new technology does not hurt disabled people.
This report will help other organizations and leaders work on disability and technology issues.
You can open the report by clicking here.
Mark Your Calendars
Minnesota Council on Disability 2022 Virtual Legislative Forum
Thursday, January 13, 2022
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Presented by: Minnesota Council on Disability
We are holding the event over Zoom and will publish the link as the date nears.
This event is an opportunity for the disability community to share what they want the Legislature to accomplish in this session. It is also an opportunity for legislators to share how they would like to promote this legislative agenda.
Share your ideas and concerns with state Senators and members of the state House of Representatives.
We will provide CART and ASL.
Contact Trevor Turner at 651-350-8642 (phone or text message) or email Trevor to request additional accommodations. We will do our best to accommodate all requests, even with short notice.
Minnesota Housing Partnership Legislative Panel
Thursday, January 27, 2022
8:00 am – 9:15 am
Presented by: Minnesota Housing Partnership
The event will be held over Zoom and MHP will publish the link as the date nears.
In advance of the 2022 Legislative Session, join the MHP Investors Council. Lawmakers will discuss prospects for housing in the 2022 legislative session. Hear directly from lawmakers about their caucus, committee, and personal priorities and how housing fits into their overall session goals.