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Residents urge Mankato council to oppose federal budget cuts, ask for resolution
Summary
Three residents told the June 23 Mankato City Council that proposed federal reconciliation bill cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and Head Start would harm local households and urged the council to send a letter or adopt a resolution opposing the cuts.
Jane Dow, a Mankato resident, and two other speakers told the Mankato City Council on June 23 that a federal reconciliation bill under consideration would cause significant local harm and asked the council to publicly oppose the legislation.
The speakers said cuts to programs including Medicaid, SNAP and Head Start would increase homelessness, strain local health and social services, and likely require higher local taxes to fill gaps. "This will cause instability, social unrest, and unraveling of the social fabric in our communities," Jane Dow said during the public forum, adding that the bill would give tax breaks to "the richest and the mega corporations."
The request for formal action was specific. Teresa Zeman, who said she lives at 117 Rita Road in Ward 3, urged the council to send a letter to the city’s federal delegation—she named "Representative Finstead and Senators Smith and Klobuchar"—or to draft a public resolution opposing the funding cuts. "I'm happy to provide you with several such resolutions to review, if you wish," Zeman said.
Leah Hanson, a North Mankato resident who identified herself as a social worker with Connection Shelter, described how reductions to Medicaid, SNAP and housing assistance would affect people she serves: "We're talking about unhoused individuals losing access to the mental health supports that have provided them safety and stability…families choosing between paying rent or putting food on their table." She urged the council to "write a resolution, to reach out and contact our legislators and members of Congress," and to add Mankato to calls opposing the cuts.
Speakers cited research and national comparisons to make their point. Jane Dow referenced the book Spirit Level to argue that stronger social safety nets reduce inequality and social harm. Zeman warned that local governments could face increased demand for services and higher local taxes if federal funding is reduced.
Council members did not adopt a resolution or formal letter opposing the federal bill at the June 23 meeting. Commenters asked the council to act publicly and to coordinate with other local governments; no council motion on a resolution was shown in the meeting record.
The public forum portion of the meeting was time-limited and the council then moved to its regular agenda.
