Human Rights at the State Capitol: Budgets
Budgets. Human rights might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this word, but respecting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights requires financial resources. Budgets are more than financial statements – they’re statements of values and priorities. Budgets that fund activities with a positive impact on the exercise of rights can turn our values into reality.
Last week, the Minnesota Legislature began to hear details of the Governor’s budget recommendations. For example, the Ways and Means Committee received a high-level overview of the budget recommendations, which highlighted three priorities:
- Supporting small businesses and driving economic recovery;
- Ensuring students catch up on learning; and
- Supporting working families.
State agencies’ budgets include details on how budgets will affect equity and inclusion. This analysis will be critical as lawmakers wrestle with how to address the devastating and disparate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Take action by watching live or recorded hearings online and contacting your representatives on issues that are important to you. The attached schedule highlights some (but not all) of the hearings from this week that related to human rights issues in Minnesota, as well as links to recorded Committee sessions.
