My Brothers’ Keeper
“CARING FOR MULTI-CHALLENGED PEOPLE”
Our organization is funded through Medical Assistance by the State of Minnesota to pay for client services and staff wages. We work directly with our legislators and ARRM (Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota). ARRM is a lobbyist group that fights for the rights of Disabled Individuals within Minnesota. We need your help.
We are the eyes, ear and bodies that offer direct care to our clients. We have the experiences the legislators need to hear. Staff should advocate for their client’s rights and their own advancement. If Not You; Then Who? Who will fight for your concerns about fair compensation or equal treatment of our clients? Can you sit idly by and believe state government will fight for you and our clients in the midst of a $6 billion deficit?
Most years we talk about fair compensation and getting a cost of living increase. This next legislative session, we are hoping to save our clients funding and staff wages. Many budget proposals offered by current candidates for governor outline 5% cuts across all human health service fields. My Brothers’ Keeper absorbed 2.58% cuts in July 2009 but we are not able to absorb any more cuts during the next legislative session. Legislators and DHS are also increasing regulations and paperwork, creating a necessity for an increase in administrative staff. My Brothers’ Keeper has made every attempt to solve financial short falls through re-organizing and prioritizing our program but there is nothing more to cut other than staff wages.
Initially, we try to communicate our concerns through voting but sometimes more is needed. We need to let our legislators know our concerns.
1. Let our legislators know what your concerns are by using a messaging system called “You need to hear me”. The phone number is (651) 603-2009. You will be asked where you live so they can forward your message to the correct legislator from your district.
2. Email our Senators and House Representatives directly. The contact information is on our web site and attached to this form.
3. Send written communication to legislators, papers, forum and political action sites.
If we band together we can make a difference.
Brett McLean
My Brothers’ Keeper, Housing Director
General site for State of Minnesota Legislature:
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legdir.asp
List of House Representatives alphabetically or by district:
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/housemembers.asp
List of Senators alphabetically or by district:
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_list.php?sort=d&ls=85#header
Find your district by where you live:
http://www.gis.leg.mn/mapserver/districts/
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