The Welfare Rights Committee of Minnesota strives to fight for the rights of low income and working class individuals and families. Their advocacy is becoming extremely vital as the economic crisis remains an ongoing issue for the United States and more and more people are in need of help from the government.
The Welfare Rights Committee began in 1992 as a group who wanted to help the poor. Every year, they journey to the legislature to campaign against budget cuts that effect low-income people.
One of the committee’s members, Linden Gawboy started her journey with the coalition in the beginning of its development. She said she was inspired by the people who were coming together to do something positive for low income and working class people. “These issues were things that I was angry about all my life,” said Gawboy.
Tasha Jackson, another member of the committee, also understands how complex the issues are for poor people. She joined the committee four years ago. “I became involved because I enjoy standing up against people who attack the poor and low income people,” explained Jackson,” she said.
The issues among poor people in Minnesota are numerous. “We win some and lose some but somebody has to do it,” said Jackson. Jackson and Gawboy passionately discuss their successful efforts to extend unemployment insurance and to cease the government from cutting $125 per month to MFIP and SSI families. The committee works year round, lobbying at the Capitol when the legislature is in session and using the remainder of the year for strategic planning. They hold meetings every other Saturday, protest and create other various activities to spread the message. The committee stresses the importance of building relationships with politicians to help combat the issues at hand. “We have relationships with a couple of politicians. You have to get one of them to agree to take your stuff on to even get started in the process,” explained Gawboy.
Most recently, the committee protested against unjust evictions and foreclosures, qualification for unemployment and unemployment insurance, the expiration of the General Medical Assistance Care (GMAC) and the unallotment of money from the state budget. “If the economy is not helping these people, there has to be a welfare system to help or these people are going to die,” said Gawboy.
GMAC is a medical assistance program that assists low-income people who only make $7,000 or less a year. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has supported legislation that account for the expiration of GMAC for 30,000 to 35,000 people.
It is easy to sit back and hope that the government helps poor people who are struggling to meet their basic needs say Gawboy and Jackson. The Welfare Rights Committee takes action and fights with zeal and passion to ensure that low- income people receive assistance.
“It’s life or death. If the economy is not providing the jobs, not providing the education, not providing the healthcare and housing, people are going to die,” stated Gawboy.
To join the Welfare Rights Committee in their efforts or for more information please (612) 822-8020 or email the committee at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Insightnews.com