To the editor:

Three years ago, the state made a commitment to Minnesotans with disabilities and the direct care staff who support their independence. Due to a technical policy failure, the state is at risk of breaking that commitment and cutting tens of millions of dollars from the financial assistance people with disabilities receive to live independently and participate in their communities.

The Minnesota Legislature has legislation before it to fix the issue. They need to take action now to avoid a damaging blow to an industry with a critical mission already straining under the burden of a significant workforce shortage.

Should this cut be allowed to take effect, the people MBW Company supports will collectively lose approximately $125,000 used to access their support services. To put that in context, imagine your paycheck barely covered the cost of a basic grocery bill, gas to get to work, and your rent. Now you find out you’re going to have another several hundred dollars cut from your paycheck. What do you cut?

Every person has the ability to give back to their community in some way with the right set of support and development and our whole community wins as a result. Those that receive supports from MBW Company live, work, shop, and practice their faith in our community. Many are your neighbors, friends, and family. A cut to the services and supports that help individuals to live as independent in the community as possible has a direct impact on our local communities.

On Tuesday March 13, MBW Company employees and person served with our organization joined more than 1,000 people with disabilities and support staff rallying at the State Capitol, asking lawmakers to stop the cuts. Money from these cuts was put in the budget surplus, and it needs to go back to people with disabilities to access supportive services.

Please help Minnesota uphold its commitment to people with disabilities and the people who support them. Legislation is currently introduced to address this issue (SF 2889 / HF 3191); add your voice to the others from our community and ask our legislators Representative Torkelson and Senator Dahms to stop this cut.

Ric Nelson

President, CEO

MBW Co.

New Ulm