Minnesotans take care of each other. 

We know any of us can find ourselves in unexpected and unavoidable crises -- debilitating illness, disabling injuries, lost jobs, fragile family supports.  We do all that we can on our own -- but we know that there are circumstances where we need to reach out.  And we are especially grateful when that help is there for those we care about.

Revenue shortfalls threaten Minnesota's network of public, private and non-profit health care and social services.  Our legislators and our governor face tough challenges in balancing the budget.  But the budget shortfall is not the biggest challenge facing Minnesota.  Growing numbers of unemployed, increasing numbers of Minnesotans unable to get health insurance in the private market.  Our aging families and communities.  More people hungry, more people homeless.  These are even more important challenges.  And they are challenges Minnesota can meet, if we remember we are in this together.

Budget decisions are about our values.  And Minnesotans value each other.  We know that decisions about health care and social services are decisions about us all -- when we are in crisis, when the people we care about are in crisis, when our communities' stability and well-being are threatened when too many of our neighbors risk losing everything.

If you know someone who:

• is in a nursing home;
• depends on a personal care attendant to stay in their home;
• has to turn to community food shelves or homeless shelters;
• has lost a job and does not qualify for unemployment insurance;
• needs child care they can afford;
• must turn to public assistance to keep food on the table or a roof over their family;
• relies on public health insurance programs;
• must confront disabilities that threaten independence and connections to the wider community --

Tell his or her story.  Explain what services they have or need and what might happen if these services are not available.  These are the stories of Minnesota.  These are the stories about our families, our friends, our neighbors, the people we serve, the people we care about.  These are the stories about us all.

And these are the stories behind high stakes budget decisions being made now at the state capitol.

So after you tell your story, your legislators need to hear from you. Let them know about this map -- forward the link to them and let them know that someone you care about is on this map.  It is easy: Find out who your legislator is and get their email address at District Finder.