We Make Minnesota And Partners Advocate Funding Minnesota’s Future

Members of Education Minnesota, Kids Count on Us, SEIU, and LIUNA testify in favor of new initiatives in the Governor’s budget proposal

SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, We Make Minnesota members from Education Minnesota, Kids Count on Us, SEIU, and coalition partner LIUNA will testify before the House Taxes Committee in favor of investing more in the future of Minnesotans and Governor Walz’s budget. 

Amy Aho, a speech language pathologist in the Brainerd School District and an Education Minnesota member said, “I support taxing the wealthiest Minnesotans so my students can get what they deserve.  The World’s Best Education.  The Legislature has the opportunity to make changes and improve Minnesota’s educational system.  COVID-19 has highlighted how important equitable education is to Minnesotans. There is no better time than the present.”

“As lead teacher and director of Lake Harriet Montessori School, I’ve seen firsthand the impacts we make in the lives and futures of our children when our schools and childcare centers are supported and able to flourish,” said Gay Canseco, director of Lake Harriet Montessori School, leader with Kids Count on Us.  “I’ve also seen the impacts when the centers we’ve created to nurture the lives of our young ones are exceedingly underfunded. We should all be pitching in our fair share, including the wealthiest in our state, to ensure our children are able to thrive.”

Debra Howza, a home care worker and member of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota said “While home care workers have sacrificed so much during this pandemic, I keep seeing news stories of the rich getting richer and corporate profits skyrocketing. A small handful make billions and care workers make poverty wages? Is that the Minnesota we want? Asking the wealthiest Minnesotans to pay their fair share is simply the right thing to do. It was the case before the pandemic, and it's even more critical if we're going to recover after COVID.”

“I’m collateral damage as the deficit is balanced on the backs of workers like me,” said Charles Washington, a skilled construction laborer and member of LIUNA Local 563, who was recently laid off from his job with the City of Minneapolis Public Works Department due to a budget shortfall. “I’m still getting my head and heart wrapped around the reality of how unfair the consequences of the pandemic and the recession are. People shouldn’t be sacrificed this way. We’re not just numbers on a balance sheet.”

We Make Minnesota is a coalition of Labor and Progressive Community Organizations. Together, with partners such as LIUNA Minnesota, they are focused on raising the revenue necessary to invest in the future of our families, communities, and schools while asking the richest Minnesotans and corporations to pay their fair share.

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