Volume 35, Number 11
November 2024
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Housing needs are again a focus
HOUSING To page 4
Sensory space planned Page 5 Prince concert recalled Page 2
Barb Smith and Paul Pranghofer were honored at the Access Press awards event November 1.
Access Press awards put a spotlight on those who provide outstanding service
Dedication to Minnesotans with disabilities can take many forms, ranging from meaningful employment to participation in sports. A large crowd gathered at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul November 1 to celebrate the Access Press award winners and nominees. The event also served as a kickoff to a fundraising drive through Give to the Max and the Institute for Nonprofit News’ NewsMatch campaign. Event Emcee Mark Daly, Access Press Board Chair Jane Larson,
MELANIE METZ
Cannabis turmoil Page 10 RISE gives awards Page 11 Grants are announced Page 6
Board Vice Chair Lynda Milne and Editor Jane McClure spoke of the important work Access Press does to bring news and information to Minnesotans with disabilities. Daly gave kudos to the late Margot Imdieke Cross, who won the first Charlie Smith Award in 2003, for teaching him about disability when he was a news reporter at KARE 11. Imdieke Cross, a longtime access specialist with the Minnesota Council on Disability, helped open his eyes and expand his knowledge about AWARDS To page 7
With some uncertainty, work continues on legislation New and familiar issues are on the Minnesota disability community’s agenda for the 2025 session of the Minnesota Legislature. Advocacy groups and coalitions are preparing agendas, to be ready in time for the first gavel on January 7. Uncertainty has been the watchword as preparations continued this fall. One issue is finances, and what if any funding will be available for ongoing and possible new programs. Much hinges on the November 5 election, as Minnesotans voted to determine which party would control the House and Senate. Twenty House members step down at or before the end of the 2023-2024 biennium, meaning many new faces will be the capitol. Several incumbent House members were in close contests. The Senate has a one-vote majority between parties, with one seat on the ballot due to a resignation. So it’s not surprising that several groups and advocates were preparing backup plans, or still looking for bill sponsors as October ended. Sean Burke, one of the leaders of
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The need for stable housing, and resources to provide some of that housing with supportive services, will be a key issue at the capitol in 2025. The state’s critical affordable housing shortage and a growing number of unsheltered persons have raised awareness statewide. The affordable housing issue can affect Minnesotans with disabilities in various ways. One concern is that people who have modest incomes, especially people with disabilities, are paying too much of their incomes for housing. The affordable housing shortage especially affects the state’s workforce, including those who provide care for people with disabilities. Accessible housing is also a need, especially in Greater Minnesota, where people want to stay near friends and family. Housing with supportive services can be in short supply in some areas. Another wrinkle is that many people with disabilities are unsheltered. The percentage of unsheltered, disabled people is a point of debate among advocacy groups. Some estimates are that more than 40 percent of unsheltered persons live with at least one disability. One message elected officials around Minnesota have is that stable housing is the key to solving many problems, including the homelessness crisis and disability issues. Housing needs are also a perennial issue for Minnesota disability services providers, with many groups bringing forward proposals. One proposal for the 2025 legislative session is Our Future Starts at Home. The Arc Minnesota is a coalition leader. The coalition is bringing back an item introduced in the 2024 session. Proposed is an amendment to the state constitution. It would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot, to increase funding for accessible, affordable housing. The amendment would dedicate statewide funding to housing, much like that for infrastructure or healthcare, by creating a statewide sales tax. Thirty-seven cents of every $100 spent would go toward making sure families and future generations of Minnesotans can live and thrive by making stable housing affordable, according to the legislative proposal. “Housing is a basic human need that all Minnesotans should have access to, no matter what they look like and where they come from. When everyone has a roof over their head, our communities are not only better, they’re stronger,” the proposal stated.
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intergovernmental relations efforts for the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD), said that the makeup of the House and Senate are just two issues to watch. Another is the state financial or budget forecast, which is expected during the first week of December. That number will let everyone know what there is to spend for ongoing programs, and if there is any one-time funding available. MNCCD is looking at more than 30 bills
and hopes to set its agenda by the end of this month. Before the start of session the consortium will rank bills in three categories. Tier One bills are bills that MNCCD takes the lead on and spends the most time advocating for. Tier Two bills have their own lead sponsor or sponsors, with MNCCD doing some advocacy for but not leading. Tier Three bills have a lead sponsor or sponsors, with SESSION To page 4
Access Press thanks this month's issue spotlight! TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 4766
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