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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 2022 Public Policy Legislative Agenda

LEADING PARTNER

Stable & Accessible Public Health Care Programs - Wilder will work to improve access to healthcare in Minnesota.

Enhance Medicaid - Wilder will work through the This Is Medicaid (TIM) Coalition on proactive efforts to solidify and improve Minnesota’s Medicaid Program.
Healthcare Workforce - Wilder will work with its statewide partners to address the critical workforce crisis by seeking to implement practical solutions to ensure that our healthcare workforce, particularly home and community based services and behavioral health, have the needed resources to provide quality care for all.

Affordable Housing & Homelessness Prevention - Wilder will work to increase access to safe and affordable housing and to prevent homelessness for all Minnesotans.

Homes for All Agenda - Wilder will work through the Homes for All Coalition, as a key leader, to improve housing stability and increase supports for people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota.

SUPPORTING PARTNER

Holistic Approaches for Whole Families – Wilder will support efforts that recognize the power of family in building thriving communities, including:

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) - Wilder supports increased funding and reimbursement rate modifications for CCAP providers to improve access to early learning for families.
Full Service Community Schools - Wilder supports investments to sustain and expand access to Full Service Community Schools (FSCS).
Education Partnership Coalition (EPC) - Wilder supports initiatives to increase state support for the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood and other EPC sites around the state.
Benefits Cliff - Wilder supports policy efforts to address the “cliff” effect which locks families into cycles of instability.
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 the TIM agenda, Wilder will support efforts which seek to improve disparities in physical and mental healthcare, including:

Mental Health Services & 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 securing long term funding for our work in the African American Babies Coalition and Projects.
Increase Access to Medical Assistance & MinnesotaCare – Wilder supports initiatives to expand access to Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.

ENDORSING POLICIES

Wilder will consider endorsing proposals which are aligned with the organization’s mission and vision. These issue areas include but are not limited to:

Closing the Opportunity Gap
St. Paul Recovery & Revitalization
Criminal Justice System Reforms
Ending intergenerational cycles of poverty
Racial Equity Initiatives

Public Policy Updates

Join the #InvestMNts Campaign to support investments for strong communities

Minnesota and all of its communities are stronger when our families and neighbors have what they need to thrive. Vital services like health… More about this article »

Public Policy Update: 2022 Legislative Mid Session Report

As we rapidly approach the mid-session break at the Minnesota Legislature, the Wilder Public Policy team continues to stay deeply engaged… More about this 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 housed at Wilder that brings together Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color ...

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!

Don’t know everything? Guess what, no one does! Your experiences, knowledge, and passion are valuable and important for lawmakers to hear. The Capitol can feel like an intimidating space and it’s common for people (especially from marginalized communities) to feel unqualified to share their valuable thoughts and expertise. (You have expertise in something valuable that others don’t!)

When you feel intimidated, think of the world we live in. Lawmakers and regulars at the Capitol certainly have their areas of expertise, but if there aren't gaps of knowledge, expertise, and perspectives at the Capitol, then why aren’t things better than they are? Empower yourself and your community to engage in the policymaking process. You don’t need to know everything to make an impact!

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.

Adrián Rafael Magaña

Director of Public Policy & Community Relations

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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