Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY POVERTY REDUCTION TASK FORCE

Date:07/27/2009
ATTENDANCE
Time:09:02 AM to 04:51 PM
Boyd
E
Gagliardi
X
Place:LSB A
Hudak
X
Kagan
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Kester
E
Representative Kefalas
Summers
*
Waller
X
This Report was prepared by
White
X
Bo Pogue
Sandoval
X
Kefalas
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Introduction and Task Force Overview
Lessons from Poverty Initiatives in Other States
Paycheck Away Video Presentation
Understanding Poverty Presentation
Colorado Poverty Definitions Metrics and Data
Impact of Poverty in Colorado
Presentation of Task Force Subcommittees
Public Testimony on Subcommittees
Discussion on Future Meeting Agendas
Poverty and Economic Development
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Motion Passed
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only


09:02 AM -- Introduction and Task Force Overview

The task force was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Kefalas, chair, provided opening remarks on the task force and its mission, and provided background on the creation of the task force and what he hopes to achieve through the task force. The membership of the task force then made remarks pertaining to their service on the task force and poverty-related issues.

09:12 AM

The task force membership continued to make introductory remarks on the mission of the task force and poverty-related issues.

09:23 AM

Representative Kefalas provided an overview of the task force, its mission and goals, and its schedule for the interim.

09:32 AM -- Lessons from Poverty Initiatives in Other States

Ms. Jodie Levin-Epstein, representing the Center for Law and Social Policy, made a presentation, for context purposes, on issues affecting poverty in states throughout the country, and how other states are addressing these issues. Issues addressed included income disparity, the minimum wage, the impact of poverty on productivity, and certain factors that may contribute to poverty. Ms. Levin-Epstein also discussed some steps that may be taken to help reduce poverty, and the mission of the task force.

09:43 AM

Ms. Levin-Epstein continued to discuss the mission of the task force, and tied this discussion to efforts undertaken in other states and in the United Kingdom to reduce poverty. Ms. Levin-Epstein also discussed "silo busting," whereby private and public agencies are brought together to address poverty. Ms. Levin-Epstein then laid out five elements that the task force should address in meeting its poverty reduction goals, and provided specific examples of situations that prevent low-income persons from breaking out of poverty.

09:54 AM

Ms. Levin-Epstein continued to discuss elements to be addressed in meeting poverty reduction goals, including methods by which public agencies and the legislature may assist in reducing poverty. Ms. Levin-Epstein included additional examples of actions taken to help reduce the cycle of poverty. Ms. Levin-Epstein stressed the need to prioritize in establishing the actions taken to reduce poverty, and discussed how a task force can take on the challenge of poverty during a recession.

10:04 AM

Ms. Levin-Epstein returned to discussing efforts taken in other states to reduce poverty. Ms. Levin-Epstein responded to questions regarding the levels of success among states that have convened poverty reduction committees. Ms. Levin-Epstein responded to further questions regarding an article in the New York Times that rated Colorado poorly in providing a social safety net. Discussion ensued regarding the article. Discussion followed regarding the ability to measure poverty reduction in states that have undertaken this goal, and strategies for assessing poverty at the state agency level.

10:15 AM

The committee recessed.

10:24 AM -- Paycheck Away Video Presentation

The committee returned to order. Representative Kefalas introduced a short video entitled "Paycheck Away," a study of poverty throughout Colorado (a copy of the video is on file with Legislative Council Staff). After screening the video, Representative Kefalas provided brief comments.

10:37 AM -- Understanding Poverty Presentation

Ms. Jennifer Sorensen, Adult Services Division Director, Ms. Michelle Trujillo, Self Sufficiency Division Director, Ms. Christie Higgins, Adult Services Senior Case Manager, and Ms. Deb Eiseman, Child Welfare Services Supervisor, all of Mesa County, made a presentation based on Ruby Payne's "Bridges Out of Poverty." Ms. Eiseman introduced the principles of Bridges Out of Poverty, and explained the process by which the program is utilized in Mesa County. Ms. Trujillo explained the goals of the program, and reviewed the program's key points in moving people out of poverty.

10:49 AM

Ms. Trujillo continued to review the key points of the Bridges Out of Poverty program. Ms. Sorensen continued discussing the program's key points, including the importance of relationship building in combatting poverty. A dialogue ensued among the presenters and the task force on the Great Depression's impact on the people that lived through it.

10:59 AM

Dialogue continued regarding the impact of the Great Depression. Ms. Sorensen then opened up a dialogue with the committee on the topic of multi-generational poverty, and the experiences of those trapped in a cycle of poverty. Ms. Sorensen responded to questions regarding barriers that now exist to coping with poverty that did not exist in past eras, and solutions for helping the impoverished without using additional public resources.

11:12 AM

Ms. Sorensen discussed the habits, resources, and institutions that contribute to maintaining middle- and upper-class lifestyles. Discussion ensued regarding prospects for bringing together people from differing economic classes to help alleviate poverty. Ms. Trujillo and Ms. Higgins returned the presentation to the key points of the Bridges Out of Poverty program, including the burdens of the "hidden rules" of poverty.

11:22 AM

Ms. Higgins continued presenting the key points of the program, including differences in the decision-making processes among the economic classes. Discussion ensued regarding the impact of the current economic downturn on the decision-making processes of middle-class persons as compared to low-income persons. Discussion followed regarding how long multi-generational poverty has existed. Ms. Higgins returned to discussing differing habits among the economic classes. Ms. Eiseman turned the presentation to the resources available to different classes.


11:33 AM

Ms. Eiseman continued discussing the different types of resources available to persons with different socioeconomic backgrounds, and certain thought processes present among low-income individuals. Ms. Eiseman responded to questions regarding the ability of individuals trapped in a cycle of poverty to set goals and plan ahead.

11:43 AM

Discussion continued regarding the ability of the impoverished to plan for the future. Discussion turned to the concept of self-sabotage. Ms. Sorensen responded to questions regarding the prevalence of the Bridges Out of Poverty program, and how the program can be made available in other forums. Representative Kagan discussed an instance where a lower-income individual engaged in a form of self-sabotage.

11:55 AM

Ms. Tracey Stewart, representing the CBMS Coalition and the Colorado Center on Law and Poverty, provided information on the scheduled luncheon.

11:57 AM

The task force recessed.

01:13 PM -- Colorado Poverty Definitions Metrics and Data

Ms. Kate Watkins, Legislative Council Staff, and Ms. Lisa Piscopo, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, made presentations on how poverty is measured and the poverty rate in Colorado. Ms. Watkins explained the process by which poverty is measured, referring to a memorandum prepared by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment A). Ms. Watkins responded to questions regarding how the rate of poverty has changed over time.

09Poverty0727AttachA.pdf

01:23 PM

Ms. Watkins responded to questions regarding the year to which the data cited in her presentation applies. Discussion ensued regarding the importance of establishing a reliable measurement for assessing poverty. Ms. Watkins returned to her presentation, providing background on how the current method for measuring poverty was created, the inputs that are aggregated to measure poverty, and how measuring poverty has evolved over time.

01:33 PM

Ms. Watkins explained the terms poverty and self-sufficiency, and discussed how self-sufficiency is measured. Ms. Watkins also provided specific examples of the self-sufficiency threshold in Colorado, and explained how basic needs are measured.


01:40 PM

Ms. Piscopo discussed the poverty rate in Colorado, as measured by various methods, and poverty trends in the state. Ms. Piscopo used a packet of materials assembled by a consortium of stakeholder groups to make her presentation (Attachment B).

09Poverty0727AttachB.pdf

01:51 PM

Ms. Piscopo continued to discuss the data associated with Colorado's rate of poverty. Discussion ensued regarding how Hispanics are categorized on the United States Census form. Ms. Piscopo returned to discussing Colorado's poverty rate, and addressed the factors that may be associated with poverty. Discussion ensued regarding an optimal poverty rate baseline. Ms. Watkins responded to questions regarding an effort by the National Academy of Sciences to update the process by which poverty is measured, and other efforts to update poverty measurement.

02:02 PM

Ms. Piscopo responded to questions regarding the differing inputs that are used by the various poverty metrics. Discussion ensued regarding the measurement of the length of time that persons remain below the poverty threshold. Discussion followed regarding the proper metric for the task force to use as it moves forward with its goal of making a measurable reduction in poverty. Discussion turned to the reasons that different measurements are use to gauge poverty, and the differing time frames that these measurements assess. Ms. Piscopo responded to questions regarding the ability to assess the percentage of those in poverty who have been below the poverty line for multiple generations.

02:16 PM -- Poverty and Economic Development

Dr. Martin Shields, representing Colorado State University, made a presentation on the connection between poverty, economic development, and employment. Dr. Shields discussed the adverse policy outcomes of living in poverty, including the impact of poverty on the health, lifestyle choices, and economic prospects of individuals.

02:26 PM

Dr. Shields discussed the impact of economic growth on the poverty rate, and the role of public money in helping to alleviate poverty. Dr. Shields also discussed a study conducted in Larimer County that sought to establish the factors associated with increased poverty. The poverty rate of Hispanics as compared to other ethnic groups was also considered.

02:37 PM

Dr. Shields discussed the impact of attaining employment on the ability to avoid poverty, and other various factors associated with poverty. Dr. Shields also discussed the public policy implications of the problem of poverty. Dr. Shields responded to questions regarding the prevalence of the lack of health insurance among those in poverty, and the connection between attaining a high school diploma and the chances of exiting poverty.


02:49 PM

Dr. Shields provided a recap on the connection between employment and the poverty rate. Dr. Shields responded to questions regarding the impact of population growth on the poverty rate in the Larimer County study.

02:54 PM

The committee recessed.

03:03 PM -- Impact of Poverty in Colorado

Dr. Lance Bolton, President of Northeastern Junior College, Mr. Joe Barela, President of the Rocky Mountain Workforce Development Association, Ms. Nan Sundeen, Director of the Pitkin County Department of Social Services, and Mr. Lance Benninghoff, Management Intern for Otero County, conducted a panel on the impact of poverty across Colorado. Mr. Benninghoff discussed the rate of poverty on the eastern plains, and the difficulties facing the region in spurring economic development and reducing poverty. Mr. Benninghoff also provided examples of how residents of the plains are coping with diminished economic opportunities, and the differences between the economy in this area and other regions in the state.

03:16 PM

Mr. Lance Benninghoff continued to brief the task force on the status of the economy on the eastern plains, the circumstances that force people in the region into poverty, and potential solutions for spurring economic growth in the east.

03:21 PM

Ms. Sundeen provided a perspective on issues facing the working poor, using Pitkin County as an example. Ms. Sundeen provided an overview of the effect of the county's recent economic downturn, and discussed the rate of poverty in the county. Ms. Sundeen also discussed the services provided to the working poor in Pitkin County, and explained how the services are funded.

03:31 PM

Ms. Sundeen continued to brief the task force on issues facing the working poor in Pitkin County, and the resources available to the county to support this population. Mr. Barela provided a perspective on the issue of workforce development and its impact on poverty, relying on a briefing handout from the Arapahoe/Douglas Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (Attachment C). Mr. Barela also addressed the plight of the working poor.

09Poverty0727AttachC.pdf

03:40 PM

Dr. Bolton discussed the importance of education in lifting people out of poverty, and provided background on the students and curriculum of Northeastern Junior College. Dr. Bolton also discussed the poverty level and economic outlook of the northeastern part of the state. Dr. Bolton returned to discussing the students at Northeastern Junior College, and the challenges facing the students based on their economic backgrounds. Dr. Bolton then presented some solutions for ensuring that economically disadvantaged students benefit from higher education.





03:52 PM

Dr. Bolton reiterated his plan for ensuring that students are prepared for college coursework when coming out of high school. Ms. Sundeen responded to questions regarding the lack of communication between agencies that provide services to the poor, and the inability of small counties to access federal stimulus dollars for poverty reduction programs. Mr. Barela responded to questions regarding the benefits of taking a regional approach to workforce development, and workforce development resources available at the state level. Discussion returned to the lack of preparedness on the part of high school graduates. Dr. Bolton responded to questions regarding the tuition costs at Northeastern Junior College, and the potential for instituting an entrance exam at the junior college level. Discussion ensued regarding recent legislation that seeks to ensure that high school graduates are prepared for further education.

04:04 PM -- Presentation of Task Force Subcommittees

Representative Kefalas provided an overview of the potential for creating five task force subcommittees to focus on specific subject areas germane to the issues of poverty reduction and economic opportunity. Task force members received a list of proposed subcommittees and subcommittee topics (Attachment D), along with a memorandum detailing the duties of the subcommittees, from the task force chair and vice-chair (Attachment E). Representative Kefalas discussed the goals and composition of the proposed subcommittees. Senator Sandoval offered co-chair opportunities to task force members not currently considered as subcommittee chairs. Discussion ensued regarding the potential for task force members to participate in multiple subcommittees, and resources available to the subcommittees as they perform their duties.

09Poverty0727AttachD.pdf 09Poverty0727AttachE.pdf

04:15 PM -- Public Testimony on Subcommittees

The task force entertained public testimony on the proposed subcommittees and their proposed membership.

04:16 PM

The following persons testified regarding the proposed subcommittees:

04:16 PM --
Mr. Randle Loeb, representing the State Interagency Council, testified regarding the need to ensure representation of certain impacted populations, include the homeless and mentally ill, on the subcommittees. Discussion ensued regarding ways in which the subcommittees can be inclusive of a diversity of voices.

04:20 PM --
Ms. Judith Martinez, representing the Colorado Department of Education, offered support to the subcommittees as they carry out their work. Discussion ensued regarding surveys distributed to state agencies pertaining to poverty and economic development programs administered by the agencies.

04:22 PM --
Ms. Linda Merrick, representing 9 to 5 National Association of Working Women, testified regarding the need to study disparities that affect differing populations, poverty reduction opportunities that may be available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and the importance of soliciting feedback from persons affected by poverty.






04:24 PM --
Ms. Carol Peeples, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified regarding the importance of studying the issues of housing and employment as they pertain to persons reentering society from incarceration. Discussion ensued regarding how the task force's Education Subcommittee should address incarceration issues.

04:27 PM --
Ms. Sheryle Hutter, representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, urged the need to include members of the affected communities, including those who receive public benefits and the disabled, in the proceedings of the subcommittees. Discussion ensued regarding the importance of the federal Medicaid Buy-in Program.

04:30 PM --
Ms. Maureen Farrell-Stevenson, representing the National Association of Counsel for Children, explained the mission of her organization and discussed the work of the Child Welfare Action Committee, which was recently convened by the governor. Ms. Farrell Stevenson suggested having this committee report to one of the task force subcommittees. Discussion ensued regarding the proper subcommittee to which the governor's committee should report.

04:35 PM --
Ms. Nancy Reichman, representing herself, testified regarding the need to address issues affecting the premium low-income individuals pay for necessities that individuals from other income levels do not. Ms. Reichman also suggested the need for communication among the various subcommittees and stakeholders involved with the task force.
BILL:Public Testimony on Subcommittees
TIME: 04:38:11 PM
MOVED:White
MOTION:Moved to approve the creation of five subcommittees and appoint chairs to the subcommittees, as listed on Attachment D. The motion passed on an 8-0-2 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Hudak
VOTE
Boyd
Excused
Gagliardi
Yes
Hudak
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Kester
Excused
Summers
Yes
Waller
Yes
White
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Kefalas
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:39 PM -- Discussion on Future Meeting Agendas

Representative Kefalas discussed several topics that may be addressed during future task force meetings. Representative Gagliardi suggested accessing several resources for consideration by the task force. Discussion ensued regarding accessing these and other resources. Discussion followed regarding the need for subcommittees to update the full task force at each meeting, and the process by which individuals will be appointed to the various subcommittees.






04:49 PM

Discussion continued regarding the process of appointing task force subcommittee members.

04:51 PM

The task force adjourned.