| Thanks to MN Coalition for the Homeless, Affirmative Options Coalition, and Low Income People Organizing for Power for helping to make the Moratorium List grow! |
| The Moratorium bill was introduced in the House on Thursday, February 7 and in the Senate on Monday, February 11. House bill number: HF3040 House authors: Walker, Dawkins, Rukavina, Clark, K., Koskinen, Gray Senate bill number: SF2918 Senate authors: Berglin, Hottinger, Foley, Lourey March 6, 2002: Moratorium folded into SF3099 Friday, March 22, 2002: SF3099 passed the full Senate!! The vote was 34-26. |
| ORIGINAL text of the Moratorium Bill - S.F No. 2918, as introduced: 82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002) Posted on Feb 7, 2002 1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to welfare; imposing a moratorium on the 1.3 60-month time limit on MFIP assistance; proposing 1.4 coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J. 1.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.6 Section 1. [256J.4155] [MORATORIUMS.] 1.7 Subdivision 1. [60-MONTH TIME LIMIT.] A moratorium is 1.8 imposed on the 60-month time limit for assistance under section 1.9 256J.42, subdivision 1. 1.10 Subd. 2. [REVISION OF 60-MONTH NOTICES AND 1.11 INFORMATION.] All notices and information provided to 1.12 participants under this chapter related to the 60-month time 1.13 limit must include an explanation of the moratorium on the 1.14 60-month time limit under subdivision 1. 1.15 Subd. 3. [EXPIRATION.] This section expires on June 30, 1.16 2005. |
| Take Action! 1. Tuesday, 3-26-02, around 9:00 a.m. -- Support the House Democrats who are holding a press conference announcing their DAY LONG HUNGER STRIKE to protest cuts and to call for a moratorium! 2. Keep calling your legislators and tell them to support the Moratorium! 3. Give $ to the WRC TV-ad fund, so we can buy more time around the state! |
| -- On Wednesday, March 6, the Senate Health, Human Services and Correction Budget Division passed the proposed moratorium (Senate File 2918) on welfare time limits. The moratorium bill was folded into SF3099. It was decreased to a 24-month moratorium, and the parent has to be in compliance in the 60th Month of recieving MFIP. -- On Friday March,15 2002 Bill 3099 was passed through the Senate Finance Committee chaired by Sen. Doug Johnson. -- Also on Friday March 15, 2002, the language of the bill was changed substantially, but it appears as if the bill's net effect will still be a two year moratorium. We believe the bill was changed for financial reasons and to ensure the passage throught the Senate Finance Committee. -- On Monday, March 25, SF3099 will be folded into another bill. We will post the updated bill number then. The next step will be Conference Committee. |
| House of Representatives update: The Moratorium bill is not being heard in the Republican dominated house. In the week of March 11th, the House passed a bill full of cruel cuts to General Assistance, General Assistance Medical Care, Emergency Assistance, family planning, and many other programs for MN's poor and disabled as part of their overall budget balancing program. |
| Current relevant text of moratorium bill. To see the whole bill got to www.leg.state.mn.us. S.F No. 3099, 2nd Engrossment: 82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002) Posted on Mar 19, 2002 ARTICLE 2 45.18 TANF 45.19 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2001 Supplement, section 45.20 256J.425, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 45.21 Subd. 1b. [TEMPORARY EXTENSION.] (a) A temporary extension 45.22 on assistance applies to participants who are: 45.23 (i) not in sanction status in the 60th month of receiving 45.24 assistance and are following the work search and other 45.25 requirements in their plan; and 45.26 (ii) have not obtained sufficient employment that results 45.27 in a wage that is equal to or exceeds 120 percent of the federal 45.28 poverty guidelines for a family of the same size. 45.29 (b) All notices and information provided to participants 45.30 under this chapter related to the 60-month time limit must 45.31 include an explanation of the extension of the 60-month time 45.32 limit under paragraph (a). 45.33 (c) This subdivision expires on June 30, 2004. There is also language delaying the impostition of the sanctions for extended cases. |
| The Moratorium TV-ad! In mid-March, WRC started airing a commercial calling for a moratorium. The commercial is showing around the state. Here is the text of the commercial: On July 1st, up to 6000 Minnesota children and their families will lose public assistance. The recession and rising unemployment are making things worse. Placing a moratorium on the 5-year limit on welfare would save these kids from homelessness and hunger. House Republicans are refusing to deal with this issue. Call your legislator today and tell them to support a moratorium. Kids� lives depend on it. |