State & Federal Advocacy 101

State & Federal Advocacy 101St. Stephen’s Community Engagement ProgramCathy Heying

Who are our Legislators?LawyersTeachersNursesNonprofit ManagerBusiness OwnersSocial WorkersPsychologistsChiropractor Community OrganizersChief of Police Insurance AgentsEconomistsConsultantsFarmersCEOsReal Estate Agents

Rep. Jim Abeler (R)

Rep. Rena Moran (DFL) Sen. Michelle Benson

(R)

Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL)

Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL)

Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R)

2014 is a Bonding Year: 88th Minnesota Legislature

Governor Dayton & Legislature

In 2014, the job of Gov and Legislature is to review make capital investments (bonding),

with limited policy considerationCapital Investments (bonding) Policy• Homes for All: invest $100

million in bonds for affordable housing. These bonds would provide for approximately 5,000 units to be rehabilitated or constructed, serving low-income Minnesotans throughout the state. ▫ Build and rehabilitate

supportive housing ▫ Preserve and rehabilitate

affordable housing▫ Stabilize communities

impacted by foreclosure crisis

• MFIP Education Bill: remove training and education barriers for parents enrolled in MFIP: access Adult Basic Education/earn a GED as a work activity, enrollment in post-secondary programs, 12-week job search timeframe instead of 6, remove barriers for ESL classes

• Prosperity for All: raise the state minimum wage to $9.50.

2014 is a Bonding year: 2nd year of BienniumA bonding year is when the government makes decisions about infrastructure needs and borrows money to meet those needs.

TAKE ACTION! Who represents you?

Federal (D.C.)• Senator Amy Klobuchar• Senator Al Franken• Representative Keith

Ellison (Minneapolis)• Representative Betty

McCollum (St. Paul)

State (St. Paul)• Governor Dayton• 1 State Senator• 1 State Representativehttp://www.leg.state.mn.us/

FEDERAL LEVEL

Federal Level Advocacy is a bit more challenging. Because Government is so big at that level, things move much slower and it can be harder to see the results of our efforts.

Always call or write a personal letter rather than email at this level.

Stay connected with national advocacy groups to help you wade through the bureaucracy!

Contact Your Representatives•Call during the day

•Call at night•Write a letter

•Write an email•Set up a meeting at the capitol

•Set up a meeting in your neighborhood•Friend them on Facebook

•“Like” their Fan Page•Follow their Twitter account

Other Ways to Stay Active• Follow the MN Coalition for the

Homeless on Facebook for Action Alerts!

• Join advocates from around the state on a conference call at 3pm every Thursday by calling 1-866-414-2828. Code: 229-868#

• Connect your friends and families with their legislators in greater MN and surrounding suburbs