October 17, 2008
It now seems likely that Congress will return to work in a “lame duck” session in mid-November. Leaders in both the House and Senate have indicated that another stimulus bill to address the deteriorating economy is in the works. Possible elements that could be included in the package include tax rebates, federal fiscal aid to states, a temporary boost in Food Stamp benefits, an extension of Unemployment Insurance benefits and an increase in funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Declining tax revenues are also hitting the budgets of state governments hard. After closing a projected shortfall of $935 million during the last legislative session, Minnesota legislators will once again face a large projected budget shortfall when they convene in January 2009.
The Minnesota Budget Project sent a letter signed by 66 nonprofit organizations to the Minnesota Congressional delegation in September urging that federal fiscal aid to states be included as a key part of any second economic stimulus package. With Minnesota and other states facing new and deeper projected budget shortfalls next year, the need for federal fiscal aid to help the states is more urgent than ever. That is why we are reopening our sign-on letter to gather even more signatories. If your organization has not yet signed our letter, please join us today. Our new deadline is November 12.
In 2003, Congress provided $20 billion in fiscal aid to the states in the form of a temporary increase in the Medicaid match rate as well as general grants. This relief helped to avert deeper cuts in health care coverage and helped states address growing deficits. Unlike the federal government, virtually every state is required to balance its budget. Read more about federal fiscal aid to the states and why it should be part of an economic stimulus package.
We will keep you posted on further developments regarding a possible post-election session of Congress and a second economic stimulus package.
– Steve Francisco
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Action Opportunity, Economy, Federal Budget | Tagged: Economy, federal aid to states, stimulus | 
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Posted by Nan Madden
August 7, 2008
On Aug. 5, my colleague Jeannie Fox, deputy public policy director for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and I attended Farmfest 2008 in Redwood Falls. We listened to debates between Minnesota’s U.S. Senate candidates as well as Congressional candidates from across the state. We also had an opportunity to talk face-to-face with Reps. Tim Walz and Collin Peterson about the importance of including federal fiscal aid to the states in any future economic stimulus bill. We also talked with state House Minority Leader Marty Seifert and various legislative staffers, among others.
With Congress in recess until after Labor Day, Minnesota’s senators and House members are at home attending town hall meetings, debates, picnics and various events open to the general public. Congress also plans to adjourn in early October so that members can hit the campaign trail. These events are a great opportunity for nonprofit leaders and community members (like you!) to talk to your members of Congress about the issues that matter to you and your organization. Our members of Congress cannot represent us well if they don’t know what we think about the issues that matter most, whether it’s education, health care, social services, or the environment. To find out what public appearances your member of Congress will be attending, contact their office.
-Steve Francisco
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Action Opportunity, Federal Budget, General Information | Tagged: federal | 
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Posted by Steve Francisco
March 19, 2008
We don’t usually use our blog as a way to call people to action, but I’m going to today since time is short and the issue is so important (Nan Madden testified on this issue in both the House and the Senate earlier this week).
The Governor has proposed cutting the Renters’ Credit by 21%. This is a credit that benefits over 271,000 low- and moderate-income Minnesota households who have high housing costs - many of them are seniors and people with disabilities.
The Governor claims that a cut to the Renters’ Credit is appropriate since property taxes were decreased in 2001 for most apartment owners. But renters did not benefit from this property tax reform; the savings have not been passed on to them.
Now the Legislature is putting together their own proposals for how to solve the state’s budget deficit - and they must hear from Minnesotans right now that they should not accept the Governor’s proposal to cut the renters’ credit.
You can get involved in two ways:
1. Call key members of the Legislature and ask them to reject the Governor’s proposal to cut the Renters’ Credit.
- House Tax Committee Chair: Ann Lenczewski, 651-296-4218
- Senate Tax Committee Chair: Tom Bakk, 651-296-8881
- Speaker of the House: Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher, 651-296-0171
- Senate Majority Leader: Senator Larry Pogemiller, Minneapolis, 651-296-7809
2. If you represent an organization, you can join us in a sign-on letter opposing the cuts.
More information on the Renters’ Credit is available on our website. Thanks for your help!
-Christina Wessel
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Action Opportunity, Taxes | Tagged: Taxes | 
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Posted by Christina Wessel
