Save Our States Coalition – Main Street MN Calls on Congress
to Support Economic Recovery Package, Not Just Wall Street Bailout

Fiscal Assistance to the State Would Boost Economy,
Protect Vital Services, Guard Against MN Budget Crisis

Washington, DC – At 11am Central/12pm Eastern on September 23rd, a range of Minnesota local leaders will join voices on a telephonic press conference call to urge congressional passage of an economic recovery package that helps struggling families. The callers will highlight that while we are bailing out Wall Street, we cannot neglect Main Street. An economic recovery package is needed to create jobs, help the growing number of Americans looking for work, help ensure that families don’t go hungry and ensure that Americans do not lose health coverage as a result of state budget crises.

The callers will urge the Minnesota congressional delegation to act quickly to help jump-start our nation’s economic engine and ensure that Minnesota has sufficient funds to support its citizens during this time of economic hardship. With an August unemployment rate of 6.2% — a significant jump from 4.5% in August 2007 – there is a growing need for services such as Medicaid. Projections show that Minnesota would receive a needed infusion of $268 million if federal Medicaid assistance was included in the recovery package. Funding for health care, jobs, food stamps and extended unemployment benefits would strengthen the economy in Minnesota and nationwide by preventing further economic contraction, while also protecting services vital to Minnesota families struggling during this economic downturn.

WHO: Frank Ostronski, Unemployed Worker

Todd Pufahl, Legislative Dir. for Laborers’ District Council of MN and ND

Jan Berry, Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Families

Jill Hiebert, Communications Manager, Hunger Solutions MN COMMENTS

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Save Our States is a national grassroots coalition dedicated to addressing the severe budget deficits facing more than half the states in our nation. Without additional Federal assistance, state and local governments will be forced to take actions that will further shrink the economy. Already, 32 states have cut or proposed cutting vital public services [CBPP, 6/08]. 10 states have cut or proposed cutting K-12 education and 13 states have cut or proposed cuts to reduce access to health care services or health insurance [CBPP, 7/08]. Save Our States is committed to promoting solutions to invest in our states. In addition to state and local elected representatives and ordinary Americans concerned with the growing budget crisis in their cities and states, some organizational members include the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).