WORD FOR WORD—SAVE GA and MFIP
May 22, 2011
1.
A. In the words of a GA recipient: I use my General Assistance for the essential items that most people take for granted. By the time I pay a modest fee for rent I’m tapped. I manage to survive on what most spend on gas. If I did not receive GA I would become a disabled mental homeless person. Drastic I know, but it would lead me to ruins.
B. In the words of Deuteronomy 15: 7-11: If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns…do not be hard-hearted or tight fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be.
C. In the words of Sen. David Hann, head of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee “[much of the trimming can be done through] “reforms.” “We’ll do everything we can do to protect the vulnerable,” Haan said.
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Services Bill:
S.F. No. 760, 4th Engrossment - 87th Legislative Session (2011-2012) Posted on May 19, 2011
A bill for an act relating to state government; establishing the health and human services
budget; making changes to children and family services, Department of Health,
miscellaneous provisions, health licensing fees, health care, and continuing
care; redesigning service delivery; making changes to chemical and mental
health; modifying fee schedules; modifying program eligibility requirements;
authorizing rulemaking; imposing criminal penalties; requiring reports;
appropriating money for the Departments of Health and Human Services and
other health-related boards and councils; making forecast adjustments; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2010…..
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
2.
A. In the words of a GA recipient: “I am in great need of the GA program. I have some physical problems that I can’t pay for. If you cut the program I won’t be able to pay for my medicine. I’m pleading with you to reconsider.”
B. In the words of a Hindu Proverb: They who give have all things; they who withhold have nothing.
C. In the words of Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch on MPR in November: “Education, and protecting vulnerable Minnesotans, is a top priority”
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Services Bill:
Former programs. "Former programs" means funding for:
(1) general assistance;
(2) emergency general assistance;
(3) emergency supplemental aid; and
(4) Minnesota supplemental aid special needs and special diets
3.
A. In the words of a GA recipient: “GA allows me to pay my cell phone bill, by hygiene items and ride the city bus to and from meetings for I am in recovery…coming up six months clean 5/25/2011! Going to meetings are very important connecting with my support network is important. Taking care of my hygiene builds my self esteem and allows me to face society and my past life with dignity and honor for living a better life. I ask that I have a vote in the matter to please consider that there are people that this would affect tremendously. I am one of many. This would be a life changing event for me if GA is cut. Thank you for your time… “
B. In the words of the Holy Qur’an: “What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of a human being. To feed the hungry. To help the afflicted. To lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful. To remove the wrongs of the injured.”
C. In the words of Rep. Keith Downey, a member of the Health and Human Service Committee, on his website, “[a priority is] protection of the most vulnerable - from the unborn, to the disabled, to the elderly, to those easily exploited”
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Services Bill:
Funding for an emergency general assistance program is limited to the appropriation. Each fiscal year, the commissioner shall allocate to counties the money appropriated for emergency general assistance grants based on each county agency's average share of state's emergency general expenditures for the immediate past three fiscal years as determined by the commissioner…No county shall be allocated less than $1,000 for a fiscal year.
4.
A. In the words of a GA recipient:
I receive GA because I recently had surgery for my rotator cuff right shoulder. I sustained the injury while at work in a warehouse at Medtronic. I was diagnosed as dangerously and gravely susceptible permanent paralysis if I didn’t have immediate surgery. Unable to work and with no insurance I had to apply for emergency medical assistance which was approved. I am undergoing physical and occupational therapy to correct my right shoulder. I am homeless. If GA gets cut for me it will mean permanent paralysis. No meds, nothing. Please protect GA. Thank you.
B. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “What is faith if not translated into action?”
C. In the words of Rep. Jim Abeler, Chair of the House Health and Human Service Committee “When I got my [HHS] bill resolved in my own committee, under what I had control over, and came to realize no one came to any serious harm, my sleep improved,”
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Services Bill “A county agency must grant emergency Minnesota supplemental aid, to the extent funds are available, if the recipient is without adequate resources to resolve an emergency that, if unresolved, will threaten the health or safety of the recipient”
5.
A. In the words of an MFIP caseworker “Shana is currently in a homeless shelter and receives 674.00 a month in SSI benefits for herself and 437.00 a month in MFIP for her two children. She is in a homeless shelter because she needed to leave an abusive situation and was unable to find a place to live for fair market rent (700.00 to 900.00 for a two bedroom) plus take care of additional expenses that naturally come with children and housing. She is currently struggling with major depression and bipolar disorder which is disabling enough to interfere with her ability to work. If her grant is cut another $50.00, Shana’s future remains hopeless and her desire to someday have a stable place to live seems all the more out of reach.”
B. In the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover them and not hide yourself from your own kin?”
C. In the words of Senator Amy Koch, “tough decisions, particularly on health and human services, are ahead, but I believe that we will protect the people in nursing homes and the most vulnerable citizens.”
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Services bill:
The amount appropriated for emergency general assistance funds is limited to no more than $7,089,812 in fiscal year 2012 and $1,682,453 in fiscal year 2013.
6.
A. In the words of an MFIP caseworker: “Sally is a disabled mother of two children struggling with ongoing mental health issues. Each month she must utilize her Social Security benefits in order to pay her portion of rent, utility bills, medical expenses and transportation costs. Her MFIP cash assistance must go towards covering the cost of clothing for her children, school supplies, personal hygiene items, school outings, and basically anything related to her children’s needs. If MFIP cash assistance were to be cut or reduced to families receiving SSI, Sally and her children will be in a very vulnerable position”
B. In the words of the Gospel writer John “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help?”
C. In the words of Governor Dayton: “[my] budget is far from perfect. But it is critical that we protect the needs of the poor first, not last.”
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Service bill:
“Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256J.37,Subd. 3c. says
The county shall reduce the cash portion of the MFIP grant by $50 per adult SSI recipient who resides in the household, and who would otherwise be included in the MFIP assistance unit under but is excluded solely due to the SSI recipient status under”
7.
A. In the words of a GA recipient: “Maybe the legislators should go to a shelter (like me) with just the clothes on your back and no money and stay for one week. You will have a totally different outlook, guaranteed! I have been homeless for over a year. I try each and every day to find housing any resources I can. Please when you go home to your cozy home and lay in your warm bed…think of all of us that don’t and please say a prayer for us and if the GA is cut please say two prayers!”
B. In the words of Guru Granth Sahib “Those who remember God generously help others”
C. In the words of Rep. Kurt Zellers, “This is the people’s house. Each member who comes before this body deserves the respect, the dignity of all of us.”
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Services Bill: “Minnesota supplemental aid payments must be issued regularly on the first day of the month. The supplemental aid warrants must be mailed only to the address at which the recipient resides, unless another address has been approved in advance by the county agency.”
8.
A. In the words of a recipient of GA: “ I am a resident of the House of Charity. I am currently on GA. I use this monthly money for bus fare, body soap, and all the hygiene products as well as to pay my phone bill so I have contact with my family for I am in the city all alone and they all live in the suburbs and further. If you cut this funding from the budget I will not be able to get the everyday things I need. I will not be able to talk to my family .I know if you were in the same predicament you would want the same thing I am asking for so please don’t take away the only money I get every month. Sincerely… “
B. In the words of the prophet Micah: “You have been told, O mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”
C. In the words of Rep. Paul Thissen, House Minority Leader, “[we cannot cut] seniors and the disabled and kids by immense amounts”
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Services Bill”
(a) Each assistance unit with income and resources
less than the standard of assistance established by the commissioner and with a member
who is a resident of the state shall be eligible for and entitled to general assistance if
the assistance unit is:
(1) a person who is suffering from a professionally certified permanent or temporary
illness, injury, or incapacity which is expected to continue for more than 90 days and
which prevents the person from obtaining or retaining employment; This is a change from the previous requirement of disability for 30 days.
9.
A. In the words of a GA recipient: “After staying in shelter for 22 months it was GA that enabled me to find a stable, clean and sober apartment building. If GA is cut my housing would disappear and I will be dumped back into …shelter life. To be preyed upon (again). I am nearly 55 and declining in health; I do not believe I have the strength to go back. How could our elected public servants decide to uproot people with disabilities who have found stability and sobriety in their lives? IT is shameful to even consider cutting a lifeline to the poor and disabled. Yours truly…”
B. In the words of the Gospel writer Matthew: “I was hungry and you gave me food…I was a stranger and you welcomed me…I was naked…sick…in prison…and you cared for me. As often as you did it to one of the least of my sisters and brothers, you did it to Me.”
C. In the words of Rep. Jim Abeler, chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee: “At the end, we’ll be hopefully protecting nursing homes, protecting care for the disabled, and keeping a safety net in intact”
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Services Bill: “(Eligibility changes for general assistance)
a person who is unable to obtain or retain employment because advanced age significantly affects the person's ability to seek or engage in substantial work; is no longer eligible.
10.
A. In the words of Tom Parker, outreach specialist:
“I think of a 20 year old young lady who after getting pregnant her senior year worked hard to finish her Diploma a year later so her child could have a better future. I think of the struggle she has had going from part time job to temp job to fast food job wanting something more for her future. I think of the emotional and mental struggle it is for her to consider the risk of a one or two year educational investment that will reward her future exponentially. Even though she is fully aware of this, her ability to think and plan long term is often hindered by her attempt and worry to live month to month. . . . After working with this young lady for 6 months she finally considered the risk to quit an $8.00 an hour job to get a medical assisting certificate. "I like to help people," she told me, "and working in the medical field is where I want to be." She researched colleges and training programs in her area and looked at hiring trends about job growth in this field giving her confidence and excitement. She quit her job not because she didn't want the income or was lazy but because there was no evening child care in her area and she had no one to watch her children for her. When we discussed requesting reduced hours at work they told her they'd have to let her go if she couldn't work the same schedule. It was one or the other for her. I'm glad she chose school and I'm glad she'll be one of many young professionals in hospitals and clinics in our state helping improve quality of life for everyone."
B. In the words of Dr. Kwegyir Aggrey, African Missionary: “To educate a woman is to educate the whole world"
C. In the words of Rep. Jim Abeler: “The House [Health and Human Services] bill presents a philosophy of "putting people on a path to independence.”
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Services bill:
“Section 28, Minnesota Statutes 2010, 256j.53, subdivision 2 is amended to read:
Approval of postsecondary education or training. (a) In order for a postsecondary education or training program to be an approved activity in an employment plan, the plan must include additional work activities if the education and training activities do not meet the minimum hours required to meet the federal work participation rate under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, sections 261.31 and 261.35 participant must be working in unsubsidized employment at least 10 hours per week.”
11.
A. In the words of a GA recipient: “I need GA for my very existence.”
B. In the words of the Talmud Torah: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
C. In the words of Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers in November:
“Protecting and providing for our most vulnerable in society has always been our priorities.”
D. In the words of the current Health and Human Services Bill: “General Assistance Standard. The commissioner shall set the monthly standard of assistance for general assistance units consisting of an adult recipient who is childless and unmarried or living apart from parents or a legal guardian at $203. The commissioner may reduce this amount according to Laws 1997, chapter 85, article 279.263, section 54.”
All: (please read only the line that is highlighted on your copy)
THE GOLDEN RULE
Be not estranged from one another for God dwells in every heart. Sikhism
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Buddhism
Blessed are those who prefer others before themselves. Bahai
In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief,
regard all creatures as you would your own self. Jainism
No one is a believer until you desire for another
that which you desire for yourself. Islam
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Christianity
Human nature is good only when it does not do unto Another
whatever is not good for its own self. Zoroastrianism
What is hateful to you do not do to your neighbor.
This is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary.
Go and learn. Judaism
