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The Post wrote
Strickland ready to fight poverty
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Caitlin McGlade
An estimated six out of 10 U.S. citizens will plummet into poverty for at least a year by age 75, according to a report by the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies – a trap that more than 1.5 million Ohioans fall into – but Gov. Ted Strickland (D) and his Anti-Poverty Task Force are determined to pull them out.
The task force, composed of 300 Ohioans within five focus groups and a 30-seat panel, presented the governor with 22 recommendations to start fighting poverty last Wednesday.
“There are too many people who aren’t in a position to take advantage of their talents, and that ultimately affects everyone,” said Greg Landsman, chairman of the task force.
The list, if approved by Strickland, would implement various education strategies and expand some benefits to Ohio’s poor almost immediately and without financial charge to the state, he said.
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Damn…I guess all of the budget cutting and small gov’t policies had to come to an end someday.
And how in the heck do you make public transit feasible for rural areas? That statement blew my mind.
Where will that money come from? Strickland just ordered another round of budget cuts!
A lot of money comes from federal dollars. Most of Ohio’s public benefits and work support programs are funded by federal grants to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Development.
Also, there’s a lot of foundation money floating around right now in the non-profit sector for these anti-poverty efforts. The Columbus Foundation has funneled a lot into this effort and the Gund Foundation is going along as well.
Hopefully something can lessen all the time folks wait in line. Line waiting is one of the hallmarks or poverty. Also increase the hours the food stamp office is open for working folks to get to.
There are efforts for this as well:
http://www.obb.ohio.gov
http://www.thebenefitbank.com 8)
Way to go Uncle Ted!
The thought of people waiting in line for free handouts doesn’t really break my heart. In fact, I makes me feel a little better…almost like they’re doing something to earn it. The gov’t should figure out how to put them to work while waiting in line.