|
Dear ,
Greetings! Here are a few quick updates on policy and politics related to ending homelessness in Minnesota:
Legislative Update -
Call or Write the Week of May 2nd 
As Minnesota attempts to balance its state budget, both the Governor and Legislature wish to protect vulnerable Minnesotans. Many state-funded homeless services have received consistent funding levels in the proposed budgets including emergency shelter, transitional housing, homeless youth services, and family homelessness prevention services. However, not all state-funded programs serving the homeless have been held harmless in the State Budget process.
The Long-Term Homeless Supportive Services Fund (LTHSSF) is projected to be reduced by over 20 percent of its current operating funding levels in the pending budget proposals. The Housing Trust Fund (HTF) is also slated for more than a 5 percent loss in funding. Both programs are used to serve people with long histories of homelessness and complex needs.
The Senate and House have now organized Conference Committees to hammer out the budget details. Funding for the LTHSSF will be considered by the Health and Human Services Finance Conference Committee; HTF funding will be considered by the Jobs & Economic Development Conference Committee.
As the Legislature reconvenes in late April, our allies and supporters are strongly encouraged to make another round of phone calls, emails, and letters to talk about the good work being done in their districts to end long-term homelessness, and the need to sustain funding for these critical services. In order to maintain current services, we will need:
- $12.8 million for the LTHSSF
- $22.1 million for the HTF
Please, review the below lists of Representatives and Senators. If your program offers services in their district, please use of the week of May 2nd to make phone or mail contact! Your voice and continued efforts could help to highlight these critical services.
Health and Human Services Finance
Health and Human Services Conference Committee Members:
|
NAME & EMAIL |
DISTRICT |
TOWN |
PHONE | |
Rep. Jim Abeler
rep.jim.abeler@house.mn |
48B |
Anoka |
651-296-1729 | |
Rep. Thomas Huntley
rep.thomas.huntley@house.mn |
07A |
Duluth |
651-296-2228 | |
Rep. Steve Gottwalt
rep.steve.gottwalt@house.mn |
15A |
St. Cloud |
651-296-6316 | |
Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer
rep.mary.kiffmeyer@house.mn |
16B |
Big Lake |
651-296-4237 | |
Rep. Kathy Lohmer
rep.kathy.lohmer@house.mn |
56A |
Lake Elmo |
651-296-4244 | |
Sen. Michelle Benson
sen.michelle.benson@senate.mn |
49 |
Ham Lake |
651-296-3219 | |
Sen. David Hann
sen.david.hann@senate.mn |
42 |
Eden Prairie |
651-296-1749 | |
Sen. Gretchen Hoffman
sen.gretchen.hoffman@senate.mn |
10 |
Vergas |
651-296-5655 | |
Sen. Scott Newman
sen.scott.newman@senate.mn |
18 |
Hutchinson |
651-296-4131 | |
Sen. Sean Nienow
sen.sean.nienow@senate.mn |
17 |
Cambridge |
651-296-5419 |
Jobs & Economic Development
Jobs and Economic Development Conference Committee Members:
|
NAME & EMAIL |
DISTRICT |
TOWN |
PHONE | |
Rep. Bob Gunther
rep.bob.gunther@house.mn | 24A | Fairmount |
651-296-3240 | |
Rep. Joe Hoppe
rep.joe.hoppe@house.mn |
34B |
Chaska |
651-296-5066 | |
Rep. Andrea Kieffer
rep.andrea.kieffer@house.mn |
56B |
Woodbury |
651-296-1147 | |
Rep. Carol McFarlane
rep.carol.mcfarlane@house.mn |
53B |
White Bear Lake |
651-296-5363 | |
Rep. Tim Sanders
rep.tim.sanders@house.mn |
51A |
Blaine |
651-296-4226 | |
Sen. Ted Daley
sen.ted.daley@senate.mn |
38 |
Eagan |
651-296-8073 | |
Sen. Ted Lillie
sen.ted.lillie@senate.mn |
56 |
Lake Elmo |
651-296-4166 | |
Sen. Geoff Michel
sen.geoff.michel@senate.mn |
41 |
Edina |
651-296-6238 | |
Sen. Jeremy Miller
sen.jeremy.miller@senate.mn |
31 |
Winona |
651-296-5649 | |
Sen. John Pederson
sen.john.pederson@senate.mn |
15 |
St. Cloud |
651-296-6455 |
__________________________
Governor Dayton Speaks About Budget
On April 26, 2011, Governor Dayton held a press conference about the state budget progress. With less than 26 days remaining for the Governor and Legislature to reach an agreement on the state budget, Governor Dayton stressed the importance of urgency, transparency, and compromise in the final budget proposals. He urged the legislature to present a "balanced budget" and provide clear breakdowns of its fiscal impacts.
While legislative leaders are slow to cede political priorities to reach Dayton's desired "common ground," some citizens and organizations are discussing options to raise new revenue. As Governor Dayton said in the press conference Tuesday, "If you're not going to raise a dollar of revenue, you have to make real draconian cuts that have severe consequences". Articles like those found in the MinnPost and others suggest there is some public support for raising additional tax revenue instead of solely cutting services; you can join the online debate by clicking here. Speaking to the large state budget deficit, Governor Dayton commented that "I wouldn't support my own budget if I didn't have to."
The Governor and Legislature have until May 23 to reach a compromise on the state budget for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. Budget bills may pass out of the Legislature by May 6. __________________________
Pending State Bills
Please continue watching the HHS Finance omnibus bill SF 760. The HHS omnibus bill has been passed in both the MN House and Senate, but final appropriation levels will be determined by a Conference Committee (members listed in top article).
- See the side-by side comparison of HHS appropriations in the Governor's budget and SF 760 here.
- Find budget details in the HHS Finance Committee spreadsheet (posted April 12) here.
HF 1500 is a bill concerning changes to chemical and mental health services. Authored by Rep. Diane Anderson and Rep. Jim Abeler, HF1500 could enact rate reforms and impact programs like chemical dependency treatment and residential treatment facilities.
__________________________
Federal Policy Update
Congress and the President have reached an agreement on the federal budget for the rest of the 2011 fiscal year. On April 14, both the Senate and House of Representatives passed HR 1473, a bill that would fund the federal government through September of 2011. President Obama signed the bill into law the following day (Tax Day). Seven continuing resolutions have been passed to keep the federal government running until the final appropriation levels were agreed upon. Unfortunately, significant increases to homeless programs were not realized. Click here to read about the budget's effect on HUD homeless programs and HEARTH Act implementation from the National Alliance to End Homelessness' blog.
With the 2011 budget completed, the next opportunity to sustain or increase funding priorities for homeless services and housing is in the FY2012 budget. Determining the federal FY2012 budget is also likely to require arduous negotiations given the political landscape and divergent attitudes about the federal deficit. Click here to see President Obama's proposed budget for FY2012.
Additional Links
- Find out how the FY2011 budget affects supportive housing for homeless veterans in a recent article from MPR.
- Get a quick overview of the budget and program funding.
- See the financial comparisons and total outlays for the FY2011 budget.
| 
