For the second year in a row I attended a very informative and sobering presentation by the Minnesota Budget Project of the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits on the Federal Budget forecast and its implications for Minnesota. For those of you who have not attended one I highly recommend it. This year they brought back Martha Coven, Senior Legislative Associate with non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C. The Center works on “fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals.” Ms. Coven gave a great overview of the Federal Budget outlook and spoke of upcoming issues of importance and concern.

Steve Francisco, Federal Policy Director for the Minnesota Budget Project presented the local aspect, forecasting on how the U.S. budget could impact us here in Minnesota. The proposed FY2009 Budget would have a particularly negative affect on important programs for seniors, people with disabilities and low-income families. Minnesota non-profits working to sustain funding for their programs need to be seen and heard, especially by our local politicians. The Minnesota Budget Project team gave a few suggestions on how to make a difference in the budgeting process; they suggest:

• Identify and organize allies and partners
• Write a letter to the editor
• Organize a meeting with your members of Congress
• Enlist support from city, county, and state elected officials
• Join the Minnesota Budget Project

I would add, put a note in your calendar to attend this excellent session on budgeting and policy next February.

For more information see press release response on proposed budget from the Minnesota Budget Project