Governor Pawlenty’s budget allotted no funding for the Minnesota State Council on Disability, an agency that works to inform all on behalf of people with disabilities.

In fiscal year ’02 the State Council responded to over 8,000 calls regarding disability issues. During the same year it conducted over 30 presentations for more than 1,700 individuals—and had 25 more presentations on its schedule for ’03. Attendees include disability organization members, state agency staff, employers, volunteer groups and neighborhood groups. Presentation topics have covered disability awareness and employment law, access issues and, since 9/11, the issue of emergency evacuation.

In the past year, the State Council has sponsored/co-sponsored many special events, such as its:

• Annual Awards Program recognizing citizens, employers, policy-makers and others who have made outstanding efforts to improve the quality of life for PWD.
• Interactive Legislative Roundtable focusing on disability-related issues and telecast with simultaneous input from seven outstate locations.

The State Council has also produced two outstanding publications: “Know Your Rights and Responsibilities” and “2000 Census Disability Related Statistics.” It also maintains a useful Web site, www.disability.state.mn.us, that has answers to many frequently asked questions on disability issues.

Under the governor’s budget, we will lose all the vital information and services that the State Council provides for all Minnesotans. Call or write the governor and your legislators and share your desire to see that this important agency remains funded.