Legislation Updates
Our Future Starts at Home
Our Future Starts at Home is a coalition of advocates, community leaders, faith leaders and housing champions who believe housing is a basic need and a basic human right. The Arc Northland sees access to affordable accessible housing as a civil right, a social driver of health and one of the first and most important steps in fostering financial stability.
For more information or to get involved visit the Our Future Starts at Home website
Legislative Advocacy Initiatives
Arc Northland works closely with Arc Minnesota on legislative advocacy initiatives. Arc Northland is able to keep a pulse on the unique needs of the Arrowhead Region while supporting needs of Minnesotans as a whole.
The 2024 legislative session has concluded. Together with disabled leaders, self-advocates, parents and family members, coalition partners, and other allies, we worked to advance policy solutions that create positive systems and social change. Through public policy work, we can:
-Promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
-Advance equity
-Support true belonging in community
Our 2024 policy goals cover five main areas:
Social and Community Context
Education Access and Quality
Economic Stability
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Health Access and Quality
These are called Social Determinants (Drivers) of Health. Building our agenda around the Social Determinants (Drivers) of Health shows how different policy issues are connected as they impact the lives of people with disabilities.
Here is the 2024 legislative agenda that was created by our Public Policy Committee and passed by the Board of Directors:
Social & Community Context
Inclusive Playgrounds
All children should play side-by-side. Investing in bonding projects that help build safe, inclusive playgrounds across the state will result in long-term, positive benefits for all. It will help children with disabilities foster true belonging in community from an early age.
Education Access & Quality
Educator Awareness of Ableism
A statewide training for educators and school staff on ableism will provide a foundation for improving inclusion in Minnesota’s schools. The training must be developed and provided by people with disabilities as they are the experts in how ableism impacts students. This will help create a supportive and positive educational experience for all students.
Economic Stability
MA-EPD Reform
Lowering premiums for the Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) program will help people with disabilities get out of poverty. Ensuring that people with disabilities are able to work and build financial stability will improve their quality of life and our economy overall. It is critical for people to be able to work while maintaining the safety net supports that help them thrive.
Subminimum Wage Phase-Out
The state of Minnesota must phase out 14(c) subminimum wage certificates, segregated employment, and other employment-related policies that discriminate against disabled people. The state has already made wise investments to support lead agencies, case managers, and providers to transition away from subminimum wage. Now is the time to correct decades of discrimination by supporting fair wages for disabled people and ensure they have equal opportunity to work in integrated environments at competitive wages, in jobs that meet their skills and interests.
Neighborhood & Built Environment
Our Future Starts at Home Constitutional Amendment
Voters should have the opportunity to decide if they want to dedicate state funding to end:
housing instability
homelessness
disparities in home ownership
and expensive rental costs.
The Our Future Starts at Home Constitutional Amendment creates the Household and Community Stability Fund, the Home Ownership Opportunity Fund, and the Rental Opportunity fund. These funds will:
reduce disparities
support community-based solutions
improve the condition of homes
increase accessibility
and decrease energy costs.
The funds put communities and people with lived experience, including people with disabilities, at the center. Disabled Minnesotans will benefit from dedicated and consistent funding in housing.
Health Access & Quality
Self-Directed Services Reform
People with disabilities must have self-directed options that support consistent, high-quality staff and flexible services that meet their needs. The legislature must end unequal funding between CDCS and traditional waiver options. They must direct lead agencies to follow and implement state policy so there is consistency across the state. The Department of Human Services must monitor and enforce state policies so that disabled Minnesotans can direct their own services and have more choice and control in their lives.
You can review the full legislative agenda here
Important Election Dates in 2024
Primary Election Day
August 13, 2024
First Day to Early Vote by Mail or In Person for the General Election
September 20, 2024
National Disability Voting Rights Week
September 9-13, 2024
Last Day to Register for Early Voting in the General Election
October 15, 2024
Last Day to Early Vote by Mail or In Person for the General Election
November 4, 2024
General Election Day
November 5, 2024
Arc Northland offers a variety of services to help and support individuals and families with disabilities throughout Northeastern Minnesota.
We are successful in advocating for people with disabilities and their families because of the support of local businesses and community members.
Please consider making a contribution that will improve the future for people of all ages with disabilities throughout Northeastern Minnesota.
Need help? Let us know what questions you have and how we can help.