The Minnesota State Council
on Disability is celebrating at the close of this legislative session,
and for good reason: MSCOD is now hardwired into the state’s
annual budget. Up to now, they’ve
received state funding in two-year blocks—and always with a “sunset
clause,” which repeals the funding after a specific date, unless further
legislative action is taken to extend it. This session, Governor Pawlenty
and the legislature eliminated the “sunset” language from the
funding statute. This change will allow MSCOD to be able to devote its energy
to other disability issues during future legislative sessions (rather than
also working for money to keep the council itself going). Thanks to Representative
John Berns (R) of Wayzata and Senator Tony Lourey (D) of Kerrick, who authored
this legislation that was passed and signed into law by the governor.
Next year MSCOD will
celebrate its 35th year. The state legislature created the council
in 1973 to supplement the efforts of other advocacy groups. Each
of the council’s 21 members
is appointed by the governor and either has a disability, has a family
member with a disability or works with people with disabilities.
MSCOD enhances its role as a resource by initiating a variety of
ongoing activities. These include trainings, on topics ranging from
disability awareness to building code to emergency preparedness,
and town hall meetings, which are statewide interactive video conferences
that are Web streamed and closed captioned. The town hall meetings
give voice to more than 150 organizations by helping them link to
Greater Minnesota communities.
MSCOD also takes its message to the community through activities
such as the ADA celebration, the Minnesota State Fair booth, and,
in the month of October, hosting an annual awards luncheon, which
celebrates of employment of people with disabilities. ![]()
The Minnesota State
Council on Disability advances the rights of Minnesotans with disabilities.
Call on us if you write the law, need to follow it, need to know
your rights or need to know the resources available to you. You
can contact us at 651-361-7800 or at council.disability@state.mn.us Visit
us on the Web at www.disability.state.mn.us
