Although ostensibly a state-wide concern, a mean-spirited proposal by Rep. Fran Bradley passed the Minnesota House this past Friday as part of a larger bill. By far it affects Minneapolis residents more than any others, as disproportionately more Welfare-to-Work (MFIP) recipients live in Minneapolis. It results in an estimated $8.2 million dollars being saved by the government by imposing a hefty tax (penalty, surcharge, whatever you want to call it) on poor people, many of whom reside here and live in federally subsidized rental units.
The legislation would raise the penalty an MFIP recipient must pay if that recipient also receives a federal housing subsidy (e.g., Section 8 or public housing). Under the bill, the 'tax' or penalty on an MFIP recipient will increase from $50 to $200. So, for example, a single mother of one who receives $437 in MFIP cash benefits each month would see a $200 reduction in her MFIP benefits to $237, or to put it in tax terms, a 46% increase in the tax taken out of her income. The House passed the bill this past Friday and it was sent over to the Senate, where it was tabled. Tenants and tenant advocates and many others are asking for action from folks. You can do one or both of the following things: Sign an online petition opposing this legislation at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/pj504/ Or write to Governor Pawlenty, as suggested by HousingMinnesota at www.housingminnesota.org I'm not expecting nor encouraging discussion of this legislation on the list, as it would likely devolve into state-related and non-Minneapolis specific issues. But I did want to post an item of great concern to low-income residents in Minneapolis who are bearing the brunt of House legislators. Gregory Luce St. Paul REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
