2010 Public Policy Agenda

During the 2010 Minnesota legislative session in St. Paul and the remainder of the 111th Congress in Washington, D.C., MCN will work with Senators and Representatives to understand nonprofit perspectives on legislation. MCN will pay special attention to the following six areas:

1. MCN supports a balanced approach to solving the state’s budget deficit. MCN will encourage and support legislation to raise adequate revenues fairly as part of the budget solution.
   
2. MCN will oppose proposals that use the Constitution to make budget decisions, such as spending limits.
   
3. MCN will support three democracy reforms
   1. a constitutional amendment to protect an impartial judiciary;
   2. legislation to create an independent commission on redistricting; and
   3. voter rights, early voting and improved absentee balloting and opposing Voter ID legislation.
      
4. MCN will protect nonprofit tax exemptions and other sector rights and benefits.
   
5. MCN supports federal legislation in four areas:
   1. health care reform;
   2. fiscal aid to the states;
   3. a progressive and adequate tax system; and
   4. a sound approach to deficit reduction that looks at both revenues and spending.
      
6. MCN’s Minnesota Budget Project promotes adequate funding of government services that contribute to the economic well-being of low-income families. Areas of focus in 2010 include protecting the state Renter’s Credit, promoting policies that protect low-income households from price increases resulting from climate change legislation, and assistance to unemployed workers.