Residents urge Blue Earth County commissioners to oppose proposed federal cuts and ICE operations
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Summary
Two local residents told the board March 3 that proposed federal budget changes would strip SNAP and Medicaid support and called on Blue Earth County to publish a fiscal‑impact statement and consider a resolution opposing the legislation and ICE enforcement practices.
Two Mankato residents used the board's public‑comment period on March 3 to urge Blue Earth County commissioners to speak out against a proposed federal budget bill they said would cut SNAP and Medicaid funding and increase immigration enforcement.
Jane Dow, who gave her address for the record, said the measure (which she called a “billionaire bill”) would deepen poverty and inequality and asked the board to denounce the proposal. “You must call out the injustice of the budget cuts as well as the ICE operations against our community,” she said, and offered written statements and examples of other counties that had issued letters opposing similar legislation.
Kathy Sallstrom told the commissioners she appreciated the board's outreach to the congressional delegation but urged faster local action. She asked the county to publish a financial impact statement on the county website showing the dollar‑and‑cent effect of the proposed SNAP and Medicaid funding changes and requested that the board draft a resolution opposing the bill on behalf of constituents who would lose services.
Both speakers linked potential eligibility rule changes and funding reductions to higher property taxes and increased hardship for people with disabilities, low‑income residents and families. The board did not take formal action during public comment; the chair said staff would be directed to respond appropriately to issues raised.