Help Support Centers for Independent Living
SNAPS (SMILES News About Programs and Services) brings you this Advocacy Network Update on Legislative News and Advocacy Activities at SMILES Center for Independent Living.
The Centers for Independent Living have experienced budget cuts over the past 5 years. Legislators are proposing bills HF 534 and SF 440 to restore those cuts and increase funding to Minnesota Centers for Independent Living. This will help the centers with the increasing demand to help support persons with disabilities.
SMILES is asking for your help. How has your local Center for Independent Living helped in your work with persons with disabilities? Show your support for centers by contacting your Minnesota state representatives and ask them to support the bills to restore and increase funding for the centers to continue providing programs and services that help local communities work with individuals who have disabilities. Find your legislative district and representatives here: Legislative District Map.
Legislative Background:
A Bill to increase funding for Centers for Independent Living by $60,000 was introduced on February 13. The bill to appropriate $2.5 M in fiscal year 2014 and 2015 asks for $230,000 above the base funding, replacing $179,000 in cuts, allocating the net increase between the eight centers.
House File 534, authored by Representatives Tim Mahoney (DFL) District 67A; Bob Gunther (R) District 23A; Jason Isaacson (DFL) District: 42B; Jason Metsa (DFL) District 06B; and Kathy Brynaert (DFL) District 19B (signed on as co-author March 3, 2013) was referred to the Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy committee, chaired by Representative Mahoney. The bill was heard Tuesday, March 12; and was held over for inclusion in the committee’s omnibus funding bill.
Senate File 440 was authored by Senators D. Scott Dibble (DFL) District 61; David J. Tomassoni (DFL) District 06; Tom Saxhaug (DFL) District 05; Foung Hawj (DFL) District 67; and Carrie Ruud (DFL) District 10. After introduction, it was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. Representative Richard Cohen (DFL) District 64 chairs the Senate Finance Committee.
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SMILES CIL and The Arc SW are sponsoring BE A Voice! a Legislative and Advocacy workshop on Thursday, April 4th for people who want to know more about advocacy, the legislative process and how to tell their independent living story to legislators and other interested people.
The workshop will be held in the SMILES Mankato office at 709 South Front Street, from 4:00 – 5:30 pm. Download the “BE A Voice” flyer.
Citizens for Accessibility (CFA) are concerned citizens who want to make a difference in their community by addressing barriers to access for persons with disabilities. SMILES sponsors Citizens for Accessibility throughout south central Minnesota. CFA meets in Mankato from 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm on the 3rd Thursday each month. They meet over a light lunch, discussing issues, and learning about advocating for themselves and others.
CFA meetings are a great way to meet people who are interested in disability related issues, gain or improve advocacy skills and get involved in your community. To attend a CFA meeting, call Michelle at 507-345-7139. For more information about CFA meetings in the Fairmont, Springfield or other areas, call SMILES toll free at 888-676-6498. Download the Mankato CFA 2013 meeting schedule.