Dear Neighbors,
I hope this message finds you and your family doing well. I want to express my heartache for the people of Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked attacks. As a sovereign nation, this invasion by Vladamir Putin’s autocratic regime is completely unacceptable, and it’s up to all of us around the world to stand in solidarity with those in Ukraine and in support of freedom, democracy, and peace.
Here’s an update from the Capitol.
Stepping Away from the House
This week, I announced my intention to not seek re-election this fall. I want to thank everyone in District 7A for your support over the years. It's been exciting and rewarding to serve our community in the Legislature, working with elected leaders, commissioners, staff, and others who tirelessly serve the people of Minnesota. I'm proud of my time in office over these eight wonderful years, and I have tremendous gratitude for the support, encouragement, and trust constituents have given me.
I still look forward to serving you throughout the remainder of my current term which ends next January. Please continue to be in touch with your questions, feedback, and if I can ever be of assistance.
New Budget Forecast
This week, Minnesota Management and Budget announced a new economic forecast showing a $9.25 billion budget surplus for the current biennium. While this is certainly good news, it highlights an economy tilted against working Minnesotans who are still struggling to get by in an economy tiled against them, despite the large surplus. Meanwhile, large corporations and the very wealthiest are doing better than ever.
Everyday Minnesotans and their families have faced some big challenges the last two years and helping them overcome barriers in their daily lives should be our biggest priority this session. On top of uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and Russian aggression against Ukraine, it’s important to recognize the budget forecast ignores inflation regarding state expenditures. When we don’t consider inflation on the spending side, we're misrepresenting the size of a surplus or potential deficit. Our supplemental budget should be assembled honestly and responsibly with families and workers at the forefront.
Improving Opportunities for People with Disabilities
One of the most rewarding parts about serving in the Minnesota House has been chairing the House Human Services Committee. I’ve been committed to ensuring all Minnesotans have the tools to overcome barriers to succeed and thrive, no matter the circumstances they find themselves in.
We’ve considered several measures in recent hearings I’ve chaired to strengthen opportunities for people with disabilities. There is a dire shortage of personal care attendants (PCAs) and other direct support professionals (DSPs) who provide critical support for people with disabilities so they can experience fulfilling lives in their communities.
This week, we discussed legislation to create a new Direct Care Service Corps, expand shared services and coordinate training to help more people with disabilities live in their own homes, and add care coordination and care evaluation services to Medical Assistance waivers. Separate legislation would increase Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (ICF/DD) rates by five percent, improve alternate overnight supervision, and fund grant programs for child care relief for DSPs, frontline supervisor retention, and home and community-based services scholarships. We also recently discussed a proposal to increase funding for the Minnesota Council on Disability, a panel charged with advising state agencies and advocating for Minnesotans with disabilities.
Please continue to stay in touch with your viewpoints, ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. Thank you for the honor of working as your public servant.
Sincerely,
Jen Schultz
State Representative