Date: 09/08/2009

Final
Public Testimony

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY POVERTY REDUCTION TASK FORCE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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11:20 AM -- Public Testimony

The committee reconvened. Members of the public were invited to testify. The following individuals testified before the committee:


11:21 AM --
Mr. Randle Loeb, representing himself and fathers, stated that fathers are almost always overlooked or excluded from the responsibilities of child care, but they are important aspects of children's lives. He acknowledged that there are certain situations where being without a father is better for the child, such as incidents involving abuse. Mr. Loeb spoke about his personal experiences with mental illness and divorce, and explained how these experiences affected his relationship with his children. He urged the task force to address how both parents can be intricately involved in their children's lives. Mr. Loeb made additional comments regarding child support and the responsibility to care for children.


11:28 AM

Representative Summers thanked Mr. Loeb for his comments and stated that divorce is a very challenging subject. He said that every situation is different, but the most consistent factor in homeless youth is fatherlessness. Senator Sandoval commented that she has been contacted many times regarding policies that make it difficult for fathers to stay in their children's lives. She discussed the calculation of child support based on a father's gross income rather than the net income, and noted that it can sometimes be impossible for a father to live on what is left after child support payments have been deducted. Senator Sandoval expressed an interest in looking at the policies in place and seeing what can be done to help keep fathers and their families together. Representative Gagliardi thanked Mr. Loeb for his testimony, and Representative Kefalas expressed interest in learning more about fatherhood programs.


11:31 AM --
Mr. Rolf Kotar, representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC), testified regarding individuals with multiple disabilities. He described his personal experiences as an individual with a mental disability and summarized the public assistance that he had applied for and received. He stated that he has worked for CCDC for twelve years. Responding to follow-up questions from Representative Kefalas, Mr. Kotar discussed the Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND) program, which provides temporary financial assistance for individuals who are waiting to receive Social Security benefits. Representative Kagan noted that the AND program is slated to be cut under Governor Ritter's August budget proposal. Representative Kefalas mentioned a rally to be held at lunch regarding the budget package.


11:36 AM --
Ms. Sherri Acosta, representing the Center for Work Education and Employment (CWEE), discussed her experiences with the CWEE program. She shared her personal experiences as the mother of five children and one stepdaughter and as a victim of domestic violence. She described how she found a job with the help of CWEE and other assistance programs. She suggested that Adams County services be used as a model for other counties, particularly its two-year post-TANF program. Ms. Acosta stated that the assistance she received from Adams County reduced the time she spent in the TANF program and reduced the "cliff effect." Senator Boyd thanked Ms. Acosta for pointing out that programs such as CWEE and other public-private partnerships already exist, and discussed the importance of being more effective at creating similar partnerships. Responding to questions from Representative Kagan, Ms. Acosta discussed her progression from CWEE to self-sufficiency classes to post-TANF programs. She stated that Adams County pays for a CWEE case manager to prove services to clients. Senator Sandoval discussed additional questions she would like to ask CWEE's director.


11:45 AM --
Ms. Pat Ratliff, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., discussed the "cliff effect" and its relationship to certain programs that are subject to the economy. She discussed eligibility requirements and waitlists for programs. She stated that all counties are trying to do more with less, and described the effect of budget cuts on assistance programs.

11:48 AM --
Ms. Sheryle Hutter, representing the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council and CCDC, discussed the panel presentation and expressed her regret that it did not include testimony from any men. She said that poverty cannot be understood without discussing disability and senior citizens. She described the financial hardship for individuals on SSI, and she addressed the possibility that the AND program will be cut. She provided further comments on Medicaid buy-in programs and workers' compensation. Ms. Hutter expressed her support for Mr. Loeb's testimony regarding child support laws, and discussed methods of calculating child support. She responded to questions from Representative Summers regarding child support calculations.


11:53 AM --
Mr. Terry Ploski, representing himself, testified regarding the AND program. He discussed his experiences with an incurable neurological condition and described how Governor Ritter's proposed cuts to the AND program would affect him. He encouraged legislators to explore options to continue funding the AND program. He suggested that an electronic database could reduce the wait for SSI benefits, and discussed state expenditures on state employees. Mr. Ploski made additional suggestions concerning energy, water, and office costs, as well as the possibility of auctioning off state equipment. Senator Sandoval mentioned a recent article about four-day workweeks; she discussed the advantages and disadvantages of a four-day workweek and added that Colorado may already auction off some surplus equipment. Mr. Ploski addressed an earlier question from Representative Summers regarding child support calculations, and cited his experience as a divorce attorney. Representative Kagan commented on Mr. Ploski's proposal to offset AND cuts by speeding up SSI processing. Discussion continued.


12:06 PM --
Mr. Edward Berlin Germany, representing himself, testified regarding the experiences of ex-offenders. He described his experiences in prison, and stated that he had served 27 years due to three-strike laws. He addressed news reports concerning the early release of inmates, and summarized his experiences as an ex-offender during a recession. Mr. Germany said that ex-offenders have difficulties when applying for jobs; most ex-offenders would rather become productive members of society than return to prison, but they have trouble getting hired. He remarked that society does not seem to be prepared to handle ex-offenders. Representative Kefalas asked for suggestions that would help ex-offenders reintegrate into society. Mr. Germany described pre-release programs. Senator Sandoval thanked Mr. Germany for his testimony and described problems caused for ex-offenders who try to hold down a job but have to take a class in the middle of the day or wait for an appointment with a parole officer. Mr. Germany agreed with her comments and noted that ex-offenders have to pay for many of their requirements. He indicated that he shared his experiences in order to help everyone understand the problems that will affect newly-released inmates.