Documents on this page are in PDF format and can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat.  To download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader click here.

This is a FREE one-page newsletter sent out weekly during legislative sessions, and occasionally during the interim.  It is the perfect way to find out what is happening in the legislature and how it will affect nonprofit organizations in Minnesota.  We also use it to keep you informed about upcoming public policy events.  The newsletter is available by e-mail or by fax.

Sign up for the Legislative Update!

Recent Issues

• December 20, 2004 - Sign up today for MCN's annual Session Line Up!
• December 6, 2004 - Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioners to hear public testimony on media reform.
• December 1, 2004 - November forecast shows it's time for Minnesota to return to fiscal responsibility.
• November 29, 2004 - Last chance to sign up for our upcoming briefing on children's issues! This alert also provides details on Governor Pawlenty's request for budget ideas and how you can weigh in on the discussion.
• November 15, 2004 - Session begins in 50 days: Get Ready at MCN's Public Policy Conference this Thursday!
• November 4, 2004 - 61 days until the '05 Legislative Session: Get Ready at MCN's Policy Day on November 18th!
• October 25, 2004 - Volunteer on November 2 and be part of an unprecedented, nonpartisan effort to Get-Out-the-Vote on Election Day!
• September 21, 2004 - This update provides information on two events you don't want to miss: Follow the Dollars in Duluth and the MCN Annual Conference!
• August 27, 2004 - Please join the Minnesota Participation Project’s launch of the "November 2 Nonprofits Get Out The Vote" drive!
• August 9, 2004 - Minnesota Participation Project Mini-Grants available for your Candidate Event!
• August 6, 2004 - Update on the Congressional proposal to increase regulation of nonprofits - your feedback is needed!
• July 16, 2004 - Information on the Minnesota Participation Project, the Secretary of State's proposed adoption of new rules governing voter registration, and details on a U.S. Senate Committee's consideration of greater regulation of nonprofits and foundations.
• July 12, 2004 - Save the Date! July 28 training on nonprofit election activity and the law with the Alliance for Justice.
• June 16, 2004 - Update on the State Grants Freeze and reminder about Session Wrap Up.
• June 10, 2004 - Action Alert: Nonprofit Grants Freeze Still in Place. Please contact the Governor and urge him to remove the hold on programs and services that people depend on.
• June 4, 2004 - This update provides details on an upcoming book discussion, co-sponsored by the Affirmative Options Coalition and MCN on Star Tribune Editorial Writer Dave Hage's new book: Reforming Welfare by Rewarding Work: One State’s Successful Experiment.
• June 2, 2004 - Don't miss Session Wrap Up 2004! Please join us to hear Keynote Speakers John Gunyou and Jay Kiedrowski, former Finance Commissioners, discuss what the inability to find balanced, long-term deficit solutions means for the state.
• May 10, 2004 - Action Alert: Governor Pawlenty and Department of Finance take action to stop grants and review existing contracts for cancellation.
• May 6, 2004 - This update provides information on the news that the Administration may institute a freeze on grants to nonprofits.
• April 21, 2004 - Action Alert: oppose cuts to renters credit for low- and moderate-income families!
• April 12, 2004 - Action Alert: contact Senate Taxes Committee to support incentives for charitable giving!
• March 31, 2004 - Action Alert: contact your Senator and ask them to vote in support of a minimum wage increase! This alert also provides rebroadcast information of last week's presentation by former Finance Commissioners John Gunyou and Jay Kiedrowski to a joint hearing of the Senate Taxes and Finance Committees and the Hmong Refugee Resettlement Briefing.
• March 26, 2004 - Action Alert: Legislation to increase charitable deduction for non itemizers.
• March 22, 2004 - This issue provides details on a joint meeting of the Senate Tax and Finance Committees at which former Finance Commissioners John Gunyou and Jay Kiedrowski will be presenting their views on the current budget. This alert also gives details on hearings in the Senate Health, Human Services and Corrections Budget Division and information on the Hmong Resettlement Briefing taking place this week in St. Paul.
• March 17, 2004 - This update provides information on legislation that would expand health care coverage for Minnesota children and adults. This alert also includes news from the Minnesota Budget Project on a new report: Consequences: The Impact of Minnesota's Government Budget Cuts and results from MCN's latest survey of the nonprofit workforce.
• March 15, 2004 - This alert provides information on S.F. 2496 (Child Care Restoration Bill), a community hearing on proposed rules for mercury from coal-fired power plants, and the upcoming GLBT lobby day at the Capitol. Transit for Livable Communities is also seeking your help in sharing stories about how the transit strike is affecting you. Information is provided.
• March 4, 2004 - Action Alert: Oppose cuts in health care and tax credits for low-income families!
• March 3, 2004 - Action Alert: HF 2241 to modify child care assistance programs. Please contact HHS Finance Committee members to oppose this bill!
• February 23, 2004 - This issue provides details on upcoming Nonprofit Action Days, committee hearings, and precinct caucuses.
• February 3, 2004 - Precinct Caucuses: Get involved and Be Informed! Don't miss this upcoming event sponsored by MCN and the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office on how caucuses work and how to get involved in the process.
• January 26, 2004 - Don't miss MCN's upcoming events! This issue provides details and registration information on the TELs briefing and Session Line Up 2004.
• January 7, 2004 - Briefing on Tax Expenditure Limits (TELs), a.k.a. Tax Payer Bill of Rights (TABOR) proposals that would place caps on state, local, and school district spending. Register today for this important briefing!

(Last updated: December 20, 2004)

Previous Issues of the Minnesota Legislative Update.

December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
2003
2002
2001