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Public Policy

Advocating for systemic equity and opportunities so all Minnesotans thrive

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Wilder's public policy work advances systemic equity and social and economic opportunities so that everyone throughout Minnesota can thrive. Our efforts have a special emphasis on supporting and strengthening the self-advocacy of people, families and communities who would be directly impacted by certain budget and policy proposals. We work closely with many nonprofit partners in coalition on a range of issues related to Wilder's mission.

Wilder’s policy priorities and yearly agendas respond to the context of the moment, but remain focused on the social and economic opportunities of our community. Our primary issue areas include health care, housing, mental health, aging, and other areas of critical importance in advancing Wilder’s mission.

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We understand that society has created advantages for certain groups and not others; we find ways to see and change how we are making decisions that impact marginalized or disadvantaged groups in unintended ways. Wilder welcomes the complexity that results because of the many differences that exist among groups in one place: race, class, sexual orientation, ability, gender, etc. We believe diversity adds value and makes us stronger.

Informed by these values and principles, this legislative agenda reflects Wilder’s commitment to Lead, Support and Endorse efforts which promote the social welfare of persons resident or located in the greater Saint Paul metropolitan area and beyond. We acknowledging the disparate impacts, economic and otherwise, of longstanding public policy and the current public health crisis.

Download Wilder's 2021 Public Policy Legislative Agenda

LEADING PARTNER

Stable and Accessible Public Health Care Programs

Wilder will work to preserve and improve access to mental and physical health care in Minnesota.

Protect & Enhance Medicaid – Wilder will work through the This is Medicaid (TIM) Coalition to solidify and improve access to Medical Assistance - Minnesota’s Medicaid Program.

Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Wilder will work to increase access to safe and affordable housing and to prevent and end homelessness for all Minnesotans.

Homes for All agenda – Wilder will work as a core member of the Homes for All Coalition to improve housing stability and support people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota.

SUPPORTING PARTNER

Equitable approaches to balancing the state’s budget

Wilder will support nonpartisan efforts to solve Minnesota’s budget deficit, including raising revenue, which are grounded in fairness and equity, as well as acknowledge the inequities compounded by COVID-19.

Holistic Approaches for Whole Families

Wilder will support efforts that recognize the power of family in building thriving communities, including:

Child Care Assistance Program – Wilder supports increased funding and policy changes to expand access for eligible families and improve reimbursement rates for CCAP providers.
Full Service Community Schools – Wilder supports investments to sustain and expand access to Full Service Community Schools.
Education partnership Coalition (EPC) – Wilder supports the work to increase state support for the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood and other EPC sites around the state
Paid Family Leave – Wilder supports efforts to provide access to paid family leave for all Minnesota workers.
Healthy Aging – As a member of the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging, Wilder Supports making Minnesota the best state for healthy aging for people of all ages.

Access to Equitable Healthcare

In addition to our work on Medicaid, Wilder will support efforts which seek to improve disparities in physical and mental health care, including:

Mental Health Services and Standards – Wilder supports improving the client experience, reducing administrative burden, increasing efficiency and accountability of providers, and creating more capacity in our mental health system. Additionally, Wilder supports efforts to increase access to culturally competent behavioral health services through increasing workforce diversity and retention.
Birth Equity – Wilder supports funding for prenatal, birth services and post-partum care including funding for our work in the African American Babies Coalition and Projects.
COVID-19 Related Service Delivery Waiver – Wilder supports a robust conversation about the continuation or permanent codification of waivers established to improve service delivery during the pandemic.

ENDORSING POLICIES

Wilder will consider endorsing proposals which are aligned with the organization’s mission and vision.

The issue areas could include, but are not limited to:

Ending intergenerational cycles of poverty
Reforming the criminal justice system
Rebuilding Saint Paul
Promoting access to our democratic systems
Closing the opportunity gap

Public Policy Update: The End is Near… for Minnesota's 2021 Legislative Session

While there are a few lingering challenges as the 2021 session comes to a close in Minnesota, it appears that the legislature will pass a complete budget and av... Read the article »

Public Policy Update: Lots of Wilder Advocacy at the Capitol

Over the past couple of weeks, Wilder staff and community have engaged on a number of different bills at the capitol. Here are some highlights: VP of Comm... Read the article »

Public Policy Update: Omnibus Bills and Federal Housing

Omnibus Bill Bonanza and Testimony from Wilder Staff This week was a busy one at the virtual Capitol, as the legislative committees released their omnibus bi... Read the article »

Public Policy Update: The Workforce We Need and Deserve

BREAKING NEWS: The new state budget forecast being released today, February 26, 2021, will show a projected surplus of $1.6 billion for FYs 2022-23. For context... Read the article »

Public Policy Update: Wilder Showing up at the (Virtual) State Capitol

Over the past couple of weeks, Wilder staff and research has been showing up on a range of issues at the Minnesota legislature. Here are just a few of the highl... Read the article »

Public Policy Update: Wilder’s 2021 Legislative Agenda

Today we are pleased to share Wilder’s 2021 Legislative Agenda and to relaunch regular communications from our Public Policy Department. The staff of the Amh... Read the article »

We are stronger when we work together. This is why Wilder convenes and participates in these statewide coalitions, along with many others.

Aging

Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging

Housing

Mental Health

Early Childhood

Medicaid

This is Medicaid

General Policy

Minnesota Budget Project

Community Equity Program

The Community Equity Program (CEP) is an immersive political leadership program at Wilder that brings together up to 20 Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPO...

Meet the BIPOC Changemakers of Community Equity Program

Meet the Community Leaders, Changemakers and Alumni of Wilder's Community Equity Program

Check out tips, strategies or resources that will help you to improve your policy and advocacy skills. You can find them all here as we continue to add more with each public policy update.

There are new elected officials in the state legislature, on county boards and in city governments. Knowing who to reach out to, is the first step in engaging. Look up who represents you at the following links:

In our era of heightened divisions and easily located echo chambers this can be a difficult and unappetizing task. The point of this isn’t necessarily to change your mind on an issue.

Reading an article about how and why people view an issue differently than you can help to clarify how to refine your position or approach to convince undecided people. To be clear, this only applies to good faith disagreements that are based in reality and not craven attempts to sow division.

There will be times during your advocacy where you get a question that you don’t know the answer or due to nerves you forget the answer. It happens to everyone. The worst thing you can do is to lie and make up an answer, it will eventually come out.

The best option is to say something to the effect of “I don’t know the answer to that, but I will follow-up with you to get you an answer.” Extra Tip: if you say you are going to follow up, then you need to follow up.

Often times when we engage in policymaking work, we are focusing on issues that we care deeply about like access to basic needs or reforms to the systems that oppress us. Because of the gravity of these issues, it can be tough to convince yourself that taking a break is acceptable, but if you don’t make space to heal yourself, you will burn out. Here are a few things you can do to help remind yourself that it’s okay to take time for yourself:

Find a co-conspirator that you can work with to look out for each other
Create dedicated time on your calendar for something that brings you joy…and don’t cancel it
Celebrate when you get a win, even if it’s not the end of your journey

Most policymaking bodies from a neighborhood association to congress have rules and practices that shape their work, and most of the time they are unclear and confusing. Most of the time there isn’t a Schoolhouse Rock video to explain the process and missing a small step can set you back weeks or months.

Always try your best to understand all of the steps needed to pass a bill or ordinance or have someone in your community who can help answer questions. I would suggest starting with your elected official with your questions. If you’re someone who understands these processes, you should share this information freely!

Ramsey County Elections

Minnesota Secretary of State

Nonprofit Vote

Wilder’s public policy efforts advance social and economic opportunities so that communities we serve—and communities throughout Minnesota—can thrive.

We endorse and advocate for policies that will have these outcomes for low-income people in Saint Paul, the East Metro and across Minnesota.
We support and strengthen advocacy capacity of low income residents, people of color and indigenous leaders to influence legislative decision making and improve people's lives.
We leverage Wilder’s expertise and resources to support coalitions that advance our priorities.

The best ideas come when more voices are included in the process.

Check out Wilder's Community Engaged Public Policy Development process (CEPPD) that seeks to improve community engagement in public policy development.

See the Policy Development Model & Process

Public Policy

Advocating for systemic equity and opportunities so all Minnesotans thrive

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