Missed Day at the Capitol? It’s Not Too Late to Become an Advocate

Posted on April 7, 2022 by Matt Steele

LeadingAge Minnesota members virtually gathered for our largest advocacy event of the year, the Day at the Capitol. Aging services providers from across the state met with over 50 lawmakers, including several Senate and House legislative leaders, to make their voices heard and advance important policy initiatives for seniors and their caregivers.

If you missed the Day at the Capitol, it’s not too late to become an advocate. You can review the materials covered and TAKE ACTION to make sure your voice is heard!

Learn about the Issues

This year, LeadingAge Minnesota recorded advocacy training sessions that offered an update on the legislative session, insight into our long-term care policy proposals, tips on advocating with lawmakers, and communication strategies to help amplify member voices. In addition, we developed written messaging and legislative briefing documents. In case you missed it, below are the training videos and handouts you can use for the rest of the legislative session:

• Issue briefing videos:
  • 2022 Legislative Overview with Erin Huppert
  • LTCI Workforce Bill with Jeff Bostic
  • LTCI Bills that Ensure Access to Key with Jon Lips
  • Key Messages and Talking Points with Libbie Chapuran
  • Prepare for Your Meetings with Matt Steele – Learn about what to expect in your meeting with your lawmakers  
• Key messages document
• A one-page summary of our legislative priorities

Virtual Rally and Leaders Panel

On Tuesday morning, LeadingAge Minnesota members gathered to listen to Sen. Karin Housley and Rep. Heather Edelson, authors of our key workforce legislation this session, share their insights on long-term care issues at the Capitol. Each lawmaker intends to remain focused on working in a bipartisan manner to help solve the workforce crisis and pass legislation that will result in permanent wage increases for caregivers.

Meetings with Lawmakers

Following the virtual rally, members began meeting with dozens of lawmakers to discuss our long-term care policy priorities and share their stories. During the next several hours, members met with over 50 elected officials like Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler's office, and Senate Minority Leader Melisa López Franzen. In general, lawmakers were very receptive to our legislative initiatives. In one meeting, a member shared with a Representative how beneficial LeadingAge Minnesota's workforce payment bill will be to their providers. By the end of the conversation, the legislator asked to be a co-author of the proposal.

Next Steps

Couldn't attend LeadingAge Minnesota's Day at the Capitol? No problem! You can make a difference by contacting your legislators by email. To TAKE ACTION, enter your address, either for your home or for your setting, to contact the legislators that represent you and personalize the pre-written letter to share your story. You can also share the action alert with your coworkers. Use this link to share: https://p2a.co/2PjMkuD.

If you would like to meet with your lawmaker, contact us! We can help with all aspects of your advocacy. Each week during the legislative session, follow Advantage for regular updates about what's happening at the Capitol.