Jessica Tabbutt

Jessica Tabbutt serves as a Government Relations Specialist with Larkin Hoffman Public Affairs. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University. She brings extensive experience in political campaigns and local government party affairs as well as helping to shape public policy, primarily in the area of health and human services.

Before joining Larkin Hoffman Public Affairs, Jessica was the public policy coordinator at Gillette Children’s Hospital. Her work focused on policy changes related to disability rights, Medicaid coverage and hospital operations. Before Gillette Children’s, she spent two years as a lobbyist with a private firm in the Twin Cities, representing clients at the state Capitol in fields covering agriculture, education, technology, parks and rec and more.

Previous to pivoting to public affairs, Jessica spent seven years in nonprofit program management, organizing volunteer programs and grassroots advocacy efforts. Most recently, she worked with WomenVenture, a nonprofit that helps low-income, entrepreneurial women start small businesses.

Representative Experience

• Worked with parents and other advocates to increase the number of hours a parent or spouse can be reimbursed for providing care to child(ren) or a spouse under consumer directed community supports (CDCS) and community first services supports (CFSS) programs.
• Worked with counties, hospitals, parents and other advocates to improve the MnCHOICES application and reassessment process.
• Led efforts to require all health insurance companies to cover orthotic and prosthetic devices; partnered with advocates and durable medical equipment producers.
• Partnered with coalition members, families and city officials to secure over $4 million in bonding funds for inclusive playgrounds in three cities.
• Worked with local and state park and recreation groups to secure legacy funding.
• Partnered with farmers to push for statute changes that would support success of small independent-owned Minnesota farms.
• Partnered with small breweries and brewery owners to improve revenue sales channels.
• Worked with national partners to improve Minnesota teacher credentialing and online testing processes.
• Grassroots work: led letter writing campaigns, phone banks, helped advocates prepare to testify, organized days at the capitol, and aided community members in one-on-one and small group meetings with policy makers

Ongoing Volunteer Service:

• Habitat for Humanity; local and international builds,
• Minnesota Literacy Council and Open Doors; GED Tutor
• Open Arms; meal prep, packaging and delivery and community garden volunteer

Committee Service:

• Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities; grassroots committee co-chair (2024 – 2025)
• St. Paul DFL; ward chair (2019 – 2020) and board of directors – secretary (2020 – current)
• Minnesota Association of Volunteer Administrators; policy committee chair (2018 – 2020)