Disability Services Day At the Capitol 2025

Take action and express your concerns to your legislator about the Governor's proposed cuts to disability services funding. All you have to do is click on this link--scroll down and complete the “ACTIVE ACTION ALERT” in the lower right.  All the technical information that is needed is provided.  Just enter your personal information and any personal message you would like to add.

We need you to join in contacting legislators to help them understand the importance of disability waiver services in their community and to ensure that our state continues to uphold previously established commitments.

Some of you were involved in helping to persuade the Minnesota legislature to increase funding for people with disabilities back in 2023. As a result of that increase in funding we were able to increase pay for direct care professionals and supervisors at ACR Homes which pulled us out of the staffing catastrophe that followed the pandemic. If we lose the gains we’ve made it could negatively impact staffing once again. We are committed to supporting our employees and residents through this important advocacy work!

Details Related to the Governor’s Proposed Cuts

• The Minnesota budget and economic forecast last November projected a $616 million surplus for the next two fiscal years, but a $5.1 billion shortfall in the 2028-2029 biennium.
• In response, the budget proposed by Governor Walz on January 16 addresses this possible future deficit primarily by proposing significant reductions in funding for waivered services for people with disabilities.
• The governor’s proposal targets services to some of the most vulnerable people in Minnesota by establishing limitations on rate exceptions which could negatively impact about 80% of the people ACR supports.
• In addition, he proposes limiting billing to only 351 days per year, even if the person receives 365 days of services. This would apply to every single person on the waiver and would result in a guaranteed 3.8% percent reduction in funding which would undo the progress made in the previous biennium.
• These provisions of the Governor's proposal threaten the increases in pay that we’ve been able to make that have dramatically improved our staffing. We also note that the Governor's budget addresses a deficit that's anticipated for 2028-29 which is three years down the road--a lot could change in three years!

Another way to express concerns is through ARRM, an association of about 200 provider organizations, businesses, and advocates for people with disabilities. They are asking for our help to ensure that all legislators understand the importance of disability waiver services in their community. Please help by sending a brief message to your legislators to remind them of the work we do and why it matters to Minnesota. Visit ARRM’s Advocacy Center page, scroll down a bit and click the TAKE ACTION button under Active Action Alerts (in the gray box on the right-hand side). If you click that button, it will automatically look up your state senator and representative and help you prepare a letter; ARRM has started the letter explaining details about the proposed cuts and you can personalize it. It doesn’t need to take more than five minutes, but it is an important first step in informing legislators of our concerns.

We are grateful for your efforts to provide the best possible care for the people with disabilities receiving important services through ACR Homes, and we appreciate your support on this legislative issue as we strive to maintain the gains we’ve made!