In the session, you’ll learn about how state budget and tax decisions are made, how state funding is raised and spent, and how you can be part of setting the state’s budget priorities. Participants will gain an understanding of the state’s current budget situation, key budget decision points, and practice reading budget documents.
In addition to learning to navigate the current state budget process, you’ll also be invited to evaluate the process through a racial equity lens and imagine what a more equitable process might look like.
Speaker Information
Clark Goldenrod is the deputy director at the Minnesota Budget Project. She spends much of her time researching Minnesota's economic trends, working on more inclusive state policies for immigrants, and demystifying the state’s budget process.
Clark earned a BS in public health from Tulane University, and a MPP from The George Washington University.
In her spare time, she’s either working to make walking and biking easy and fun for everyone, or busy making food-related ceramic and fiber art.
Brett Grant is a policy strategist and researcher whose work is focused on racial justice and social impact issues. With over 15 years of experience working with communities of color, government agencies and stakeholders, Brett is recognized for his ability to listen and develop strategically impactful and innovative initiatives that are focused on the communities he represents. Brett’s expertise lies in understanding systemic and institutional racism as they pertain to education, policy, community based research and practice. An educator at heart, Brett believes that some of his most important lessons have come from his experiences traveling the world. A native San Franciscan, Brett currently lives in Minneapolis where he is Director of Policy and Research at Voices for Racial Justice.