WRC goes to Ramsey County welfare office to protest grants

BY KIM DEFRANCO, MEMBER OF WELFARE RIGHTS COMMITTEE

On July 26, 2012, the Welfare Rights Committee (WRC) held a kickoff campaign to raise the welfare grants. The MN Family Invest Plan (MFIP)’s grants to families have not been raised since 1986. That’s 26 years of families struggling far below the poverty level. That means 26 years of Minnesota politicians deciding to sentence children to poverty and homelessness.

“If Minnesota’s welfare grants kept up with inflation, MFIP grants would be double what they are now. In 1986, a family of two got $437 to live on. In 2012, a family of two still gets $437. This is a crime against families and children,” Angel Buechner, member of WRC, states. “If you are working at a job for that long, how would you feel about not getting a raise for 26 years?”

They picketed and rallied at the Ramsey County welfare office to gather signatures on a petition to raise the welfare grants. Everyone who signed was shocked that the grants haven’t been raised for that long.

As part of this campaign, politicians will be pressured to do the right thing and raise the grants. WRC invites everyone to come to their action, demanding that the governor raise the welfare grants: Aug. 9, 10 a.m., Governor Dayton’s office at the Capitol.

FFI: Welfare Rights Committee at 612-822-8020, e-mail welfarerightsmn@yahoo.com