ST. PAUL – Today, the House of Representatives passed the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance Bill on a 115-9 vote. Despite the absence of a direct appropriations provision in the House bill, Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Chair of the Senate Jobs Committee and a member of the Senate POCI Caucus, is strongly advocating for its inclusion during conference committee negotiations, and the House POCI Caucus aims to maintain equity in the decision-making process.
The House Legislative (POCI) Caucus released the following statement:
“We express our strong support for the continuation of direct appropriations to community-based organizations that serve historically marginalized communities. These organizations—often led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color—have been vital partners in addressing systemic inequities, building trust with underserved populations and delivering culturally responsive services that government institutions alone cannot replicate.
“Direct appropriations are not merely funding mechanisms—they are instruments of equity. For many of these organizations, the ability to receive direct funding has meant stability, sustainability, and the power to respond rapidly to community needs without being hampered by burdensome and often inequitable grant application processes.
“We recognize and are open to discussions on evolving fiscal models and ensuring accountability. However, if the legislature moves away from direct appropriations, we strongly urge that a transition plan be developed that centers equity, ensures no disruption to critical services, and provides technical assistance and bridge funding to help community-based organizations navigate the shift. Any new system must be co-created with those most impacted and must not perpetuate the same structural barriers we are collectively working to dismantle.
“In short: if we change how we fund, we cannot change who we fund. Equity must remain at the heart of our fiscal decisions.
“We look forward to working with the Senate and Governor Walz to ensure that our budget decisions reflect our shared commitment to racial equity, community empowerment, and sustained impact.”
The House POCI Caucus is comprised of; Rep. Aisha Gomez (DFL-Minneapolis 62A), Rep. Anquam Mahamoud (DFL-Minneapolis 62B), Rep. Athena Hollins (DFL-St. Paul 66B), Rep. Brion Curran (DFL-White Bear Lake 36B), Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope 43A), Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL-Minneapolis 59B), Rep. Ethan Cha (DFL-Woodbury 47B), Rep. Fue Lee (DFL-Minneapolis 59A), Rep. Huldah Hiltsley-(DFL- Osseo 38A), Rep. Jay Xiong (DFL-St. Paul 67B), Rep. Kaohly Vang Her (DFL-St. Paul64A), Rep. Liish Kozlowski (DFL-Duluth 08B), Rep. Liz Lee (DFL-St. Paul 67A), Rep. Mary Frances Clardy (DFL-Inver Grove Heights 53A), Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega (DFL-St. Paul 65B), Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL-Minneapolis 60B), Rep. Samakab Hussein (DFL-St. Paul 65A), Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura (DFL-Minneapolis 63A), Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL-Brooklyn Center 38B)
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