Civic Buzz: The Impact of HR1 (the 'Big Beautiful Bill') on Healthcare in MN
Speakers: Rochelle Westlund, JD, Director of Public Policy, Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers and Susie Emmert, MSW, Senior Director, Advocacy & Public Policy at Hennepin Healthcare
Changes and cuts to Medicaid and Medicare access are taking effect this coming year, from Federal bill HR1 (the "big beautiful bill"), passed in 2026.
About 1.2 million Minnesotans depend on Medicaid for their access to healthcare. What happens to Medicaid affects healthcare for everyone in Minnesota.
Our guests will discuss how these changes have and will affect healthcare access and coverage in Minnesota.
Civic Buzz: Charter Schools and how they affect Minneapolis Public Schools and Students
The first charter school in the nation opened in Minnesota, as an innovation lab that was supposed to bring fresh ideas back to our public schools.
Last year, MN spent over 1 billion tax dollars on charter schools. After decades of research, Professor Orfield has surprising data to share regarding the outcomes of the charter school experiment and how it has reshaped education in Minneapolis and beyond.
Watch recording HERE.
Civic Buzz: Training for Ethical Police Practices
Public concern about law enforcement training and practices has grown, especially after Operation Metro Surge when ICE & other federal agents used excessive force, conducted dangerous vehicle pursuits, made aggressive stops and arrests, and engaged in crowd control tactics that felt both alarming and unlawful. These moments have prompted an important question: What does ethical law enforcement look like, and how is the Mpls Police Department preparing both new and veteran officers to meet the new standards of non‑discriminatory policing outlined in MPD's Settlement Agreement with the MN Dept of Human Rights?
Watch recording HERE.
Civic Buzz - Green Zones: Working Toward Environmental Justice in Minneapolis
Climate change is one of the most urgent and complex challenges of our time. It affects everyone, but not equally.
Some communities that have historically faced racial, economic, and environmental injustices are more vulnerable and less resilient to the impacts of climate change. That is why the City of Mpls has developed a Climate Equity Plan that focuses on actions that benefit diverse and low-income communities, especially in the Green Zones, which are disproporionately harmed. Hear more about the underlying factors that contribute to disparities and solutions to address the problem. Learn about the issues from Jayda Pounds, Sustainability Program Coordinator, Mpls Dept of Health.
Watch recording HERE.
Civic Buzz: Federal, State and Local Government: Who Controls Our Elections?
Federal, State, and Local Government: Who Controls Our Elections?
Guest Speaker David Schultz, Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Legal Studies at Hamline University.
What are the roles and powers of federal, state, and local governments when it comes to election administration and funding? What are possible disruptions to the 2026 elections and how can we prepare to ensure elections run smoothly.