ARRM Day Recap and Legislative Update

Rally at the Capitol

This past March 14, more than 1,000 Best Life Alliance supporters rallied at the Capitol in St. Paul. Thank you to everyone who attended and shared their stories during more than 160 legislator meetings. Our supporters also packed the hearing room where the House HHS Finance Committee approved our bill (HF 873) to be considered for inclusion in the overall budget. A recap of the day's activities, media links and some great photos are posted on ARRM's webpage .

Legislation status

This week, both the Minnesota House and Senate released their Health and Human Services (HHS) omnibus bills. We are disappointed to share that our bills to provide wage increases for direct care workers supporting people with disabilities were not included. This was due to many factors, including many competing priorities at the Capitol and slim budgets proposed in both the House and Senate. However, there are some promising elements included in both budgets that would positively impact the disability community if passed, and we are still analyzing them.
 
With seven more weeks of session remaining and lots of moving parts, we know that nothing is final until the HHS bills are signed into law. Before that can happen, legislative leaders in the House and Senate will need to come to an agreement and then find common ground with Governor Dayton. Throughout all of these negotiations things may change. Together we need to keep communicating with legislators and Governor Dayton about why a wage increase for direct care workers who support people with disabilities is critical this year.

Press conference in Rochester

Last week several Best Life Alliance supporter organizations held a press conference in Rochester. It was organized by Bear Creek Services, PossAbilities, ABC Ability Building Center, Hiawatha Homes, Inc. & Hiawatha Homes Foundation, Cardinal of Minnesota, Ltd. Wing House, Corp and the Arc SE Minnesota. Providers and family members spoke about the urgent need to pass Best Life Alliance's wage increases this year. We are grateful to everyone who took part in the press conference, and to each of the media outlets who attended.  

Moving ahead

As action unfolds at the Capitol we will continue to keep you updated, and be in touch about further actions you can take to advocate for a wage increase in 2017.

Thank you for your strong support!  Please continue to contact your legislators!