Ready to convene

Two years ago, I voted for the first time soon after I turned 18. This year I wanted to get more involved in the process so went to my local caucus. I raised my hand to be a delegate. The next step was going to  the Organizing Unit convention. I caucused for disability rights and Tim Walz for Governor and was selected to be a delegate to the State Convention. The State Convention is this weekend and I’m so excited to be there and make my voice heard for issues impacting people with disabilities

What are some of those issues?

• Protect Medicaid and services for people with disabilities. The federal government cut 7% of funding for Minnesotans receiving Home and Community Based Services for living in their communities. I could potentially see cuts to my waiver budget for staffing this year because this year’s state budget bill did not pass. We need a Governor and legislature that will do everything they can to protect services so that people with disabilities are able to live in their communities.
• Education that is inclusive and accessible for all students is a common issue for students with disabilities. Funding education for K-12 and ensuring that there are real options for transition age students to have the supports they need to attend college are important.
• We need to select a governor who can work productively with either party to get stuff done. Both parties need to compromise and figure out how to keep moving our state forward while protecting and making sure services are available for those of us with disabilities so that we have the supports we need to live independently.

So, this weekend, I will see what a State Convention is all about. I’ll be doing what I can to make sure that people are aware of how important it is for our state to stay strong when faced with threats to Medicaid and other services that people with disabilities depend on.