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New Publications and Action Opportunities
Minnesota
nonprofits urge Congress to support improvements to Child Tax Credit
and Earned Income Credit, June 2010
Fifty nonprofits from across Minnesota urge Congress to extend
temporary improvements in the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act (ARRA) for the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit,
both of which help struggling Minnesota families. Federal Budget Policy
106
Nonprofits Join Sign-On Letter Urging Congress to Adequately Fund
Domestic Priorities, April 21, 2009
Over 100 nonprofits signed onto a letter sent by the Minnesota
Budget Project to the Minnesota congressional delegation urging
support for a federal budget that provides adequate funding for
important domestic priorities, from affordable housing to environmental
protection, and includes tax policies that help low- and moderate-income
families. The White House and Congressional leaders are negotiating
an agreement on how much money for domestic discretionary spending
will be set aside in the final budget conference report.
Over
100 Nonprofits Join Letter Urging Federal Fiscal Relief to States,
December 2008
Minnesota faces a considerable state budget deficit. Federal fiscal
relief to states can relieve the budget pressure on Minnesota to
cut critical services to the state's most vulnerable citizens. Federal
aid to states would also provide a boost to our ailing state economy,
as it would help the state fund existing services which put dollars
into our communities.
This letter,
signed by 115 nonprofits, urges the Minnesota Congressional delegation
to include federal fiscal relief in any economic stimulus bill they
consider.
Candidate
Briefing Guide on Federal Budget and Tax Issues,
September 2008
The Minnesota Budget Project has created a guide for candidates
for federal office to the federal budget and tax issues that are
most critical to Minnesotans and our quality of life. In the guide,
we provide short briefings on such issues as the pay-as-you-go rule,
trends in federal domestic discretionary spending and the estate
tax, with an emphasis on what's at stake for Minnesotans.
Federal
Appropriations: Impact on Minnesota, September
2008
Federal funding provides almost one in every four dollars of Minnesota's
state budget. With the state facing a budget shortfall and economic
slowdown, Minnesota needs a federal budget that funds vital services
that make a real difference to Minnesota's quality of life. This
issue brief describes services funded through domestic discretionary
spending, such as education and law enforcement.
Principles
for a Fair Federal Budget and Tax System, October
2008
The U.S. has enjoyed success and innovation thanks in part to past
public support and investment. Yet the nation faces grave budget
challenges in the coming decades that threaten our ability to make
needed investments.We can overcome these challenges, but only if
we take the right steps to change our budget and tax system..The
Minnesota Budget Project puts forth a set of four principles that
federal policymakers should use to evaluate tax and budget proposals.
Pay-As-You-Go-Rule:
A Return to Fiscal Responsibility, September 2008
At the start of this decade, the United States had a healthy $5.6
trillion in projected surpluses over the next ten years. But just
six years later, those healthy budget projections reversed into
deficits of $2.9 trillion, with reduced federal revenues due to
tax cuts playing a large role. If federal deficits continue to grow,
Minnesota will likely suffer, with more federal money going to paying
interest on the debt, leaving less money for federal funding for
states. As this new issue brief details, the Pay-As-You-Go Rule
(PAYGO) has a proven track record of helping to reign in deficits
and promoting fiscal responsibility.
Federal
Fiscal Relief to States Would Help Combat Deficit and Aid Ailing
Economy, September 2008
Facing a flagging economy, Congress may consider additional economic
stimulus measures in the coming months. In this issue brief, we
outline how federal fiscal relief to states can both relieve the
budget pressure on Minnesota to cut critical services to the state's
most vulnerable citizens, and aid our ailing state economy.
Ninety
Nonprofits Urge Support of Federal Budget that Invests in Our Communities,
May 2008
Congress will soon vote on a budget conference report that will
determine whether there will be adequate federal dollars available
to address our domestic priorities, from funding affordable housing
to protecting the quality of our lakes, rivers, air and water.
Ninety nonprofits joined the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits in
a letter to our U.S. senators and representatives urging them to
make progress in addressing domestic priorities through a federal
budget that reflects Minnesota values.
President's
Budget Cuts Would Hurt Minnesotans and Increase Minnesota's Budget
Deficit, March 2008
This analysis shows that Minnesota can ill afford the President's
proposed reductions in services and shifting of funding responsibility
to the states. It details some of the funding cuts that Minnesota
could expect under the President's budget. The Minnesota Budget
Project also calls on policymakers to craft a fiscally responsible
budget that funds vital services that make a real difference to
Minnesotans' well-being.
Federal
Economic Stimulus Bill Reaches More People, But Leaves Out Quickest-Acting
Measures, March 2008
This issue brief describes the $168 billion two-year economic stimulus
package signed into law in February 2008. The centerpiece of the
bill is $112 billion in tax rebates going out this year to an estimated
130 Americans. The final bill is an improvement from earlier proposals,
with the tax rebates reaching more low-income households. However,
it leaves out some of the most effective stimulus measures.
President's
Budget Reflects Wrong Priorities for Minnesota; Would Make Tax Cuts
for Wealthy Permanent While Cutting Health Care for Struggling Families,
February 4, 2008
This press statement describes how the President's budget would
increase deficits and make the tax system less fair. At the same
time, it would make cuts in services including health care, energy
assistance, child care and environmental protection.
Quickest-Acting
Measures Left Out of Reported Economic Stimulus Deal,
January 2008
In this press release, the Minnesota Budget Project notes the lack
of timely measures in the reported deal for a national economic
stimulus package. Extended Unemployment Insurance, a temporary increase
in food stamps and fiscal relief to the states should not be left
on the cutting room floor.
Sign
on Letter to Minnesota Congressional Delegation on Congressional
Budget Resolution, April 2007
In
this letter to our Congressional Delegation, the Minnesota Budget
Project and other organizations urge support for a federal budget
resolution that ensures progress on our national priorities. Specifically,
it urges support for a 3.3% increase in non-defense discretionary
spending (which includes education, the environment, affordable
housing, and other areas of funding), as well as flexibility in
funding increases in health care.
Briefing
on the President's FY 2008 Budget: What Does it Mean for Minnesota?,
March 2007
In this powerpoint presentation, the Minnesota Budget Project
describes the funding cuts in many issue areas that are proposed
in President Bush's budget.
President's Budget Fiscally Irresponsible,
Asks Low- and Moderate-Income Americans to Make Sacrifices While
Making Tax Cuts Permanent for the Wealthy, February 2007
In this quick response to the President's budget proposal, the
Minnesota Budget Project expresses disappointment with the President's
approach, which combines deep cuts to health care and other critical
services while extending tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest
Americans.
Line-Item Veto Proposal Would
Give President Authority to Cut Programs, August 2006
This issue brief describes how a proposal before Congress would
give the President unprecedented authority to withhold funding for
vital services, even if that funding was approved by two-thirds
of the members of Congress.
Letter:
Minnesota Nonprofits Oppose one-sided federal budget process bill,
July 25, 2006
In this letter to Minnesota's senators, the Minnesota Council of
Nonprofits and others express their concerns about a bill by Senate
Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg, S. 3521. This legislation
threatens to impose a new arbitrary deficit target which could lead
to massive cuts in both domestic discretionary programs and entitlement
programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income
(SSI), and more. The Gregg bill also includes a new Presidential
line-item veto and provides for the creation of two new commissions
which harm the public’s ability to participate in federal budget
decisions.
Letter
in Opposition to Painful House Budget Resolution, May
1, 2006
The U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass
a budget resolution before they left for their spring recess.
They heard the voices of Minnesotans who said they did not want
a budget resolution that would require deep cuts to crucial services,
enact large tax cuts mainly focused on the wealthiest Americans,
and increase the size of the federal deficit.
In this letter to Minnesota's Congressional delegation,
the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and a broad range of other organizations
from across the state remind our Minnesota delegation that the budget
resolution under consideration does not reflect Minnesota values.
Impact
of the President's Proposed 2007 Budget on Minnesota, March
2006
President Bush's FY 2007 budget calls for deep
cuts in federal spending for nutrition, education, housing, community
development, environmental protection, energy assistance, and more.
This publication outlines some of the estimated impact on Minnesota
from the President's proposed cuts in domestic discretionary spending.
President's
Budget Means Painful Cuts for Minnesota; Congress Should Reject
President's Misplaced Priorities, March 8, 2006
The U.S. Congress will decide as soon as the
week of March 6 whether to accept $183 billion in cuts to domestic
discretionary spending proposed in President Bush's FY 2007 budget.
The Minnesota Budget Project calls on Congress to reject the President's
budget, which does not represent Minnesota values.
Affirmative Options Coalition, Changes
in federal welfare policy embedded in the 2005 Budget Reconciliation
Bill, February 28, 2006
Legal Aid Minneapolis, What
the 2005 Budget Reconciliation Act means for Medical Assistance in
Minnesota, February 28, 2006 These handouts
from the February 28th issue briefing Federal Budget Cuts and
State Policy Choices: What Happens Next in Minnesota?, provide
information on the impact of the 2005 federal budget reconciliation
legislation, highlighting those provisions that may prompt policy
choices from the state or county governments.
Federal
Budget Reconciliation Update, February 2, 2006
The U.S. House voted on February 1, 2006 on the
budget reconciliation conference agreement, which would cut $40
billion from health care, child support enforcement, support for
people with disabilities, student loans, and other critical services.
The agreement passed narrowly on a 216-214 vote. This update
suggests follow up calls to Minnesota's Congressional delegation
and outlines next steps.
The
Budget Conference Agreement's Impact on Minnesota, updated January
2006
This
analysis describes the profound and damaging impact that the Budget
Conference Agreement being considered by the U.S. Senate would have
on Minnesota. The budget agreement would cause Minnesotans
to lose access to health care services and prescription drugs, lose
the child care assistance that enables parents to work, and receive
less of the child support that they are owed. None of the
additional funding for heating assistance will be available to Minnesotans
this winter.
Budget
Bill Sent Back to U.S. House, Minnesota Representative Could Cast
Key Vote, December 21, 2005
The U.S. Senate passed a budget reconciliation
conference report on December 21 that would make damaging cuts to
services for low-income Minnesotans, persons with disabilities,
students, and others. Because the Senate made some changes
to the legislation, it must go back to the U.S. House for another
vote. This vote is expected sometime in January. This
press release describes the implications of the budget reconciliation
legislation on Minnesota, and how Minnesota's elected officials
could play a key role.
Budget
Conference Agreement Likely to Discourage Seniors from Making Charitable
Donations,
December 2005
This
issue brief describes how a provision in the budget conference agreement
related to Medicaid would penalize seniors who make charitable donations
up to five years before they turn out to need long-term care.
Over
100 Minnesota Organizations Ask Minnesota Congressional Delegation
to Oppose Budget Conference Report that Cuts Programs for Low and
Middle-Income Working Families, Cuts Taxes for the Wealthy, and
Increases the Deficit, December
2005
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
and over 100 allies urged Congress to reject a budget reconciliation
conference report that is likely to include cuts of between $35
to $50 billion for programs that serve the urgent needs of low and
middle-income working families, children, seniors, people with disabilities,
and students.
A broad and diverse coalition of nearly
100 Minnesota nonprofit organizations signed on to a letter to Minnesota's
Congressional delegation opposing budget legislation that threatens
to cut Food Stamps and Medicaid while passing more tax cuts for
wealthy Americans.
Sign-on
Letter Calling on Minnesota's Congressional Delegation to Oppose
Deeper Budget Cuts, July 2005
The compromise forged this spring
by the U.S. House and Senate is now under threat. Chairman
Bill Thomas of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee has argued
that the large cuts in Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other programs
should be seen as the minimum amount that should be cut.
Programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Earned
Income Tax Credit, and others that were protected from cuts in the
budget resolution could be back on the table for deep cuts.
The Minnesota Budget Project circulated
a sign-on letter to ensure that Minnesota's representatives in Washington
know that Minnesotans are watching, and oppose making budget cuts
that are larger than those previously agreed upon.
Congressional
Budget Resolution Increases Deficit, Cuts Services for Low-Income
Minnesotans, and Cuts Taxes for the Wealthy, May 2005
Press Release, April 2005
This analysis describes the passage of the congressional federal
budget resolution, which will increase the federal budget deficit
and severely cut Medicaid and other services, while cutting taxes
on the wealthiest Americans. It also describes how actual
budget legislation could make cuts even larger than those outlined
in the budget resolution, and what the next steps are in working
out the details of the federal budget.
Letter
Calling on Minnesota Senators to Protect Federal Programs, April
2005
Press
release,
April 2005
In this letter, over 100 Minnesota organizations call on Senators
Mark Dayton and Norm Coleman to protect Medicaid, Food Stamps, the
Earned Income Tax Credit, and other federal programs serving low-
and moderate-income Minnesotans, seniors, children, and persons
with disabilities as the U.S. Congress works to craft a Budget Resolution.
This effort was coordinated by the Minnesota Budget Project.
Low-Income
Minnesotans Could Lose Big in Federal Budget, March 2005
This analysis describes
the key provisions in the House and Senate Budget Resolutions and
the impact that they would have on Minnesotans.
Letter
in Opposition to Large, Unfair Cuts in Federal Domestic Spending,
March 2005
Press
release, March 2005
In an effort coordinated
by the Minnesota Budget Project, over 107 organizations representing
a broad array of advocacy groups, service providers, and faith-based
organizations called on Senators Mark Dayton and Norm Coleman to
resist major cuts in critical domestic programs proposed in President
Bush's budget for Fiscal Year 2006.
President
Bush's Budget Would Harm Minnesotans,
March 2005
President Bush's proposed
budget would have wide-ranging impacts on Minnesota. This
fact sheet outlines the impact of the President's proposal on health
care, food stamps, and other programs in Minnesota.
Federal
Budget Decisions Would Have Serious Consequences for Minnesotans
and the State's Fiscal Health, February 2005
How Did Minnesota
Use Its Federal Fiscal Relief?, Updated February 2004, HTML
or PDF
Minnesota is expected
to receive over $350 million in the 2004-05 biennium in fiscal relief
from the 2003 Jobs and Growth plan. This document describes
how Minnesota has decided to use this fiscal relief, as well as
the expected revenue lost from the tax provisions in the federal
legislation. This information is reprinted in the September
2003 issue of Minnesota
Budget Bites.
The 2003 Jobs and
Growth Package: What Does It All Mean?, August 2003, HTML
or PDF
This document describes
the 2003 Jobs and Growth stimulus package, including the distribution
of benefits nationally and in Minnesota, who was left out, its cost,
whether it is likely to stimulate the economy, its impact on both
the federal deficit and on states, the public response, and what
the resources devoted to the package could have been used for instead.
This information is reprinted in the September 2003 issue of
Minnesota
Budget Bites.
The Bush Stimulus
Plan: Analysis and Alternatives, March 2003, HTML
or PDF
This document describes
the Bush Stimulus Plan, its likely impact, and a more effective
alternative. This information is also printed in the May 2003
issue of Minnesota
Budget Bites.
Impact of Federal
Stimulus Plans on Minnesota, Minnesota
Budget Bites, November 2001
Most federal stimulus
plans under consideration would cause the state to lose revenue.
This article argues that federal revenue sharing should be part
of any stimulus plan, otherwise the state could be forced to cut
assistance programs at the time they are most needed.
Bush Budget Would Cut Federal Aid to Minnesota
by 6.1%, May 2001 This fact sheet outlines the impact
of the Bush budget proposal on federal discretionary programs that
provide aid to state and local governments. The Bush FY 2002 budget
reduces spending on these programs nationwide by 6.9%, compared
to what funding levels would be if current spending per capita were
maintained and adjusted for inflation. The reductions grow to 11.2%
in FY 2011. These programs comprise 38% of all non-defense federal
discretionary spending and about 10% of total spending by state
and local governments. Includes a link to specific program
cuts.
Federal Tax Policy
Sign-on
letter in support of improvements to low-income tax credits,
deadline May 21, 2010
Congress is expected to vote soon on whether to extend
temporary improvements in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) for the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit,
both of which help struggling Minnesota families. Join this
sign-on letter by Friday, May 21.
106
Nonprofits Join Sign-On Letter Urging Congress to Adequately Fund
Domestic Priorities, April 21, 2009
Over 100 nonprofits signed onto a letter sent by the Minnesota
Budget Project to the Minnesota congressional delegation urging
support for a federal budget that provides adequate funding for
important domestic priorities, from affordable housing to environmental
protection, and includes tax policies that help low- and moderate-income
families. The White House and Congressional leaders are negotiating
an agreement on how much money for domestic discretionary spending
will be set aside in the final budget conference report
Principles
for a Fair Federal Budget and Tax System, October
2008
The U.S. has enjoyed success and innovation thanks in part to past
public support and investment. Yet the nation faces grave budget
challenges in the coming decades that threaten our ability to make
needed investments.We can overcome these challenges, but only if
we take the right steps to change our budget and tax system..The
Minnesota Budget Project puts forth a set of four principles that
federal policymakers should use to evaluate tax and budget proposals.
Candidate
Briefing Guide on Federal Budget and Tax Issues,
September 2008
The Minnesota Budget Project has created a guide for candidates
for federal office to the federal budget and tax issues that are
most critical to Minnesotans and our quality of life. In the guide,
we provide short briefings on such issues as the pay-as-you-go rule,
trends in federal domestic discretionary spending and the estate
tax, with an emphasis on what's at stake for Minnesotans.
Preserving
Fairness and Federal Revenues: A Common-Sense Approach to the Estate
Tax, September 2008
Over 99% of Americans who die will pass on their estates without
ever coming into contact with the federal estate tax, yet some members
of Congress have proposed radical reforms to the tax. This brief
details how the tax works, the role it plays in a fair federal tax
system, and how Minnesotans are effected by the estate tax. Minnesota's
federal delegation should insist that any estate tax legislation
is fair and fiscally responsible.
Alternative
Minimum Tax: What's at Stake, September 2008
The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) operates as a stop-gap to the
income tax, so that wealthy taxpayers can’t avoid paying income
taxes through tax deductions, loopholes and exclusions. But due
to several factors, the AMT is on track to affects a rapidly increasing
number of taxpayers. This issue brief explains how to fix the AMT
so that it achieves its original purpose of ensuring everyone paying
their fair share in federal income taxes, without subjecting middle-income
taxpayers to the AMT.
Radical
Reform of the Federal Estate Tax: A Solution in Search of a Problem,
May 2008
Over 99% of Americans who die will pass on their estates without
ever coming into contact with the federal estate tax, yet some members
of Congress have proposed radical reforms to the tax. This issue
brief details how the tax works, the role it plays in a fair federal
tax system, and how Minnesotans are effected by the estate tax.
Radical reform of the tax would harm charitable giving, our ability
to fund vital services and the fairness of our tax system.
Federal
Economic Stimulus Bill Reaches More People, But Leaves Out Quickest-Acting
Measures, March 2008
This issue brief describes the $168 billion two-year economic stimulus
package signed into law in February 2008. The centerpiece of the
bill is $112 billion in tax rebates going out this year to an estimated
130 Americans. The final bill is an improvement from earlier proposals,
with the tax rebates reaching more low-income households. However,
it leaves out some of the most effective stimulus measures.
President's
Budget Reflects Wrong Priorities for Minnesota; Would Make Tax Cuts
for Wealthy Permanent While Cutting Health Care for Struggling Families,
February 4, 2008
This press statement describes how the President's budget would
increase deficits and make the tax system less fair. At the same
time, it would make cuts in services including health care, energy
assistance, child care and environmental protection.
Quickest-Acting
Measures Left Out of Reported Economic Stimulus Deal,
January 2008
In this press release, the Minnesota Budget Project notes the lack
of timely measures in the reported deal for a national economic
stimulus package. Extended Unemployment Insurance, a temporary increase
in food stamps and fiscal relief to the states should not be left
on the cutting room floor.
President's Budget Fiscally Irresponsible,
Asks Low- and Moderate-Income Americans to Make Sacrifices While
Making Tax Cuts Permanent for the Wealthy, February 2007
In this quick response to the President's budget proposal, the
Minnesota Budget Project expresses disappointment with the President's
approach, which combines deep cuts to health care and other critical
services while extending tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest
Americans.
Letter:
Oppose Repeal or Radical Reform of the Estate Tax, June
5, 2006
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and a number
of Minnesota nonprofits signed a letter to Minnesota's Senators
in opposition to repeal or radical reform of the estate tax.
Repeal
of the Federal Estate Tax: Unaffordable and Unfair, May 2006
An issue brief by the Minnesota Budget Project
finds that repeal of the estate tax is wrong for several reasons.
At a time of large federal budget deficits, the repeal of the estate
tax is unaffordable. Repeal is also unfair, as it would further
shift responsibility for funding our national priorities away from
those with the greatest ability to pay. And repeal would take
away incentives for charitable giving.
Letter
in Opposition to Painful House Budget Resolution, May
1, 2006
The U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass
a budget resolution before they left for their spring recess.
They heard the voices of Minnesotans who said they did not want
a budget resolution that would require deep cuts to crucial services,
enact large tax cuts mainly focused on the wealthiest Americans,
and increase the size of the federal deficit.
In this letter to Minnesota's Congressional delegation,
the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and a broad range of other organizations
from across the state remind our Minnesota delegation that the budget
resolution under consideration does not reflect Minnesota values.
Over
100 Minnesota Organizations Ask Minnesota Congressional Delegation
to Oppose Budget Conference Report that Cuts Programs for Low and
Middle-Income Working Families, Cuts Taxes for the Wealthy, and
Increases the Deficit, December
2005
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
and over 100 allies urged Congress to reject a budget reconciliation
conference report that is likely to include cuts of between $35
to $50 billion for programs that serve the urgent needs of low and
middle-income working families, children, seniors, people with disabilities,
and students.
A broad and diverse coalition of nearly
100 Minnesota nonprofit organizations signed on to a letter to Minnesota's
Congressional delegation opposing budget legislation that threatens
to cut Food Stamps and Medicaid while passing more tax cuts for
wealthy Americans.
Congressional
Budget Resolution Increases Deficit, Cuts Services for Low-Income
Minnesotans, and Cuts Taxes for the Wealthy, May 2005
Press Release, April 2005
This analysis describes the passage of the congressional federal
budget resolution, which will increase the federal budget deficit
and severely cut Medicaid and other services, while cutting taxes
on the wealthiest Americans. It also describes how actual
budget legislation could make cuts even larger than those outlined
in the budget resolution, and what the next steps are in working
out the details of the federal budget.
How Did Minnesota
Use Its Federal Fiscal Relief?, Updated February 2004, HTML
or PDF
Minnesota is expected
to receive over $350 million in the 2004-05 biennium in fiscal relief
from the 2003 Jobs and Growth plan. This document describes
how Minnesota has decided to use this fiscal relief, as well as
the expected revenue lost from the tax provisions in the federal
legislation. This information is reprinted in the September
2003 issue of Minnesota
Budget Bites.
Bush Tax Cut Proposal
Leaves Out Many Working Families, HTML
or PDF
, Revised April 2001.
President Bush's 2001
tax proposal would leave out one in five Minnesota families.
This issue brief describes who these families are, the main elements
of the proposal, the average tax cuts for families of different
income levels, and whether the cost of the plan is fiscally responsible.
This issue is also summarized in the March 2001 issue of Minnesota
Budget Bites.
Can the New Federal
Surplus Projections Accommodate a Large Tax Cut?, Minnesota
Budget Bites, March 2001
This
is a research review of a Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
publications that suggests that President Bush’s tax cuts depend
on an overly optimistic economic forecast.
Bush
Tax Plan Resource Page
This web page includes
links to additional resources on the administration's 2001 tax cut
proposal, including primary sources, the impact on Minnesota, the
distribution and impact of tax cuts, the cost of the plan, general
analysis, and alternative proposals.
Federal Tax Cut Plan Relies on a Surplus
That Does Not Exist, August 1999
This issue brief describes the unrealistic assumptions and accounting
gimmicks that were necessary to argue that a large federal surplus
exists.
Health Care
Federal
health care reform bill meets many of nonprofits’ concerns,
March 23, 2010
On March 21, the U.S. House passed the Senate health care reform
bill by a vote of 219-212 and then passed a reconciliation package
of changes to the Senate bill by a vote of 220-211. This blog post
provides an initial scan of how the bill meets the Minnesota Council
of Nonprofits’ principles for federal health care reform legislation.
Over
100 nonprofits join sign-on letter supporting comprehensive health
care reform, November 2009
On November 16, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits sent a letter
to Minnesota's Congressional delegation signed by 119 nonprofit
organizations expressing support for comprehensive health care reform.
Organizations from across the state urged Congress to include four
key principles in health care reform legislation: support for small
employers, including nonprofit employers; making health care affordable
for low-income Minnesotans; providing adequate federal funding;
and containing unsustainable cost increases.
State
Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): Keeping Minnesotans
Healthy, September 2008
Approximately 40,000 Minnesotans receive health insurance coverage
through SCHIP. The bill would preserve coverage for all 6.6 million
children currently covered by SCHIP, and would reach 3.8 million
more low-income American children in the next five years. This issue
brief describes what the Minnesota federal delegation can do: reauthorize
SCHIP, and ensure there is adequate funding and that state flexibility
is maintained.
President's
Allies in Congress Block Children's Health Insurance Legislation,
October 2007
Despite strong bipartisan support for children's health insurance,
a Presidential veto was narrowly upheld in the U.S. House. This
press release describes how Minnesota's congressional delegation
voted and how health insurance for thousands of Minnesotans could
be at risk.
Congress
Acts to Cover More Kids: State Children's Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP) Bill Would Help Millions of Kids, October 2007
Congress recently passed the State Children’s Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007, which would build on
the success of SCHIP by ensuring that more American children have
health care coverage and the chance to grow up healthy. Approximately
40,000 Minnesotans receive health insurance coverage through SCHIP.
The bill would preserve coverage for all 6.6 million children currently
covered by SCHIP, and would reach 3.8 million more low-income American
children in the next five years. This issue brief describes the
legislation and how it would impact Minnesota.
Minnesota
and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): At a
Crossroads, May 2007
Thanks to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP),
the percentage of low-income children lacking health insurance has
fallen by one-third in the past decade. This year, Congress will
reauthorize SCHIP, which could include enhanced funding or program
improvements. This issue brief describes the importance of SCHIP
to Minnesota.
Statement
of Principle in Support of the State Children's Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP), May 2007
The Minnesota Budget Project invites organizations to join us in
this statement of principle, which calls on our Congressional delegation
to both maintain state flexibility to cover more of the uninsured,
and to build on the success of SCHIP.
Three Years After
Recession Ends, Poverty Continues to Rise; Crucial Votes in Washington
Could Worsen the Trend, August 2005,
HTML
or
PDF
Poverty in the U.S. remains unacceptably
high, incomes have stagnated, and millions are without health insurance,
according to new figures released by the Census Bureau on August
30. While Minnesota does better than the national average
in these measures, still thousands of Minnesota families are unable
to make ends meet.
In light of this data, the Minnesota
Council of Nonprofits renews its call to Minnesota's congressional
delegation to ensure continued access to federal nutrition and health
care programs.
President
Bush's Budget Would Harm Minnesotans,
March 2005
President Bush's proposed
budget would have wide-ranging impacts on Minnesota. This
fact sheet outlines the impact of the President's proposal on health
care, food stamps, and other programs in Minnesota.
Hunger and Nutrition
Reducing
Poverty in Minnesota, September 2008
This fact sheet outlines recent trends in poverty and median income
in Minnesota, as well as what Minnesota's congressional delegation
can do to alleviate poverty. Both in Minnesota and the nation, poverty
levels and median household income never recovered from last recession.
A
Better Start for Hungry Families: Summary of the House Farm Bill,
August 2007
On July 27, the U.S. House passed a Farm Bill that makes significant
progress in fighting hunger across the country. This issue brief
describes the major provisions in the House bill relating to Food
Stamps and the impact this legislation could have on Minnesota.
Organizational
Sign-On Letter in Support of Food Stamps, July 2007
Congress
will act in 2007 to reauthorize Food Stamps as part of the Farm
Bill. In this letter to our Congressional Delegation, the Minnesota
Budget Project and over thirty other organizations call upon our
congressional delegation to strengthen Food Stamps as part of a
commitment to preventing hunger and malnutrition in Minnesota.
Fighting
Hunger in Minnesota: The Critical Role of Food Stamps, May 2007
Food Stamps are the nation's most successful anti-hunger initiative.
This issue brief describes the critical role that Food Stamps play
for Minnesota families and communities, how inflation is eroding
the value of Food Stamps over time, and what action Congress could
take this year to strengthen its commitment to fight hunger and
malnutrition.
Bush Plan Threatens $66 Million in
Food Stamp Cuts for Working Families, February
2007
This press release notes that the President's Farm Bill reauthorization
proposal includes a $66 million net cut in Food Stamps. Food Stamps
help nearly 260,000 Minnesotans.
Three Years After
Recession Ends, Poverty Continues to Rise; Crucial Votes in Washington
Could Worsen the Trend, August 2005,
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Poverty in the U.S. remains unacceptably
high, incomes have stagnated, and millions are without health insurance,
according to new figures released by the Census Bureau on August
30. While Minnesota does better than the national average
in these measures, still thousands of Minnesota families are unable
to make ends meet.
In light of this data, the Minnesota
Council of Nonprofits renews its call to Minnesota's congressional
delegation to ensure continued access to federal nutrition and health
care programs.
President
Bush's Budget Would Harm Minnesotans,
March 2005
President Bush's proposed
budget would have wide-ranging impacts on Minnesota. This
fact sheet outlines the impact of the President's proposal on health
care, food stamps, and other programs in Minnesota.
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