Governmental Links & Resources

Minnesota Legislature

Minnesota State Legislature General starting point for locating legislative-related information
Find Your Legislator Quick ways to locate your district, precinct, Senator, House member and polling place
Minnesota Senate Track legislation, view schedules and get information about Senate business
Minnesota House of Representatives Track legislation, view schedules and get information about House business
Laws, Statutes and Rules Locate statutes, laws and rules by contents, chapters or key word search

Minnesota State Budget
House Fiscal Analysis State revenues and expenditures by fund and category, including changes over time.
Governor's Budget Click state budget, click operating budget for the Governor's budget priorities, etc.
Legislative Tracking For the budget targets of each finance committee.
Legislative Budget Decisions Summary of the fiscal actions of the legislature.
The Advocate's Fiscal Toolbox from the Minnesota Budget Project.

Minnesota Department of Human Services

Minnesota Department of Human Services DHS home page contains latest department-wide news and general information
DHS Services for People with Disabilities
DHS Continuing Care Services Division Contains news, events and information relating specifically to disability services
DHS Licensing Programs for Adults Access to the rules for each type of license, along with forms, fees and lists of facilities

Other Minnesota State Agencies

Minnesota North Star Site The official web site of the State of Minnesota, providing access to all government services
Office of the Governor Initiatives, news, proclamations and priorities from the Governor’s office
Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Resources for professionals and advocates for DD advocacy and policy
Minnesota State Council on Disability Resource for broad-based set of disability issues, programs and information
Minnesota Department of Health: Compliance Division Overview of licensing, case mix, facility complaints and other provider concerns
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Describes "Open the Outdoors", listing accessible recreational opportunities
Minnesota Workforce Center System Contains services and information for employers and job seekers
Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and DD Promotes the highest attainable standards of treatment, competency, efficiency and justice for persons receiving services for mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependency and emotional disturbance in children.

United States Government

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) National clearinghouse for information on disabilities
Social Security Disability Programs Explains qualifying criteria and how to apply for social security disability benefits
Congress.org Provides a way to find and write elected officials, and monitor national legislation

Public Policy Organizations

National Governors Association Provides information on issues of top importance to state executives
Council of State Governments Trends and emerging issues at the state level, often grouped by region
National Association of State Budget Officers Highlights issues with prime state budgetary impact, lately health care and Medicaid
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits: Public Policy Keeps abreast of Minnesota legislative action impacting social service programs
Minnesota Budget Project Tracks and analyzes Minnesota budget and taxes, with liberal slant
Association of Minnesota Counties Summarizes legislation, shares information and forges policy for county governments
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Lobbies for smaller Minnesota businesses; analyzes policy with conservative slant
National Federation of Independent Business National organization representing small business; isolates issues at state level

Political News Sources

Access Press Minnesota's monthly disability newspaper
Politics in Minnesota Newsletter concentrating on state political topics; information limited for non-subscribers
Pioneer Press Daily updates on news with state, local and national political impact
Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine devoted to legal and political topics; information limited for non-subscribers
Minnesota Public Radio: Politics and Government In-depth, timely coverage of select state political and policy issues
Morning Take A daily email newsletter with the latest political news across the state. Subscribe by emailing BloisOlson@gmail.com and download The Daily Agenda podcast hosted by Blois Olson on iTunes.
Star Tribune Daily updates on news with state, local and national political impact
Stateline.org Provides issues and policy developments for all states, updated twice daily
National Journal Hot political issues at the national level; oriented around candidates and office-holders