Legislative Commission to End Poverty holds hearing in Bemidji

Stillwater Courier, MN, USA
Friday, October 26, 2007

Legislative Commission to End Poverty holds hearing in Bemidji

By Brad Swenson, Forum Communications Company

..half dozen Bemidji residents who live in poverty and testified Thursday night 
to members of the Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020, 
which must have a report to the Legislature by Dec. 15, 2008.  They only used 
their first names, and faced the half-dozen panel members with their backs to 
the public and press at Northland Apartments hearing. They told similar 
stories, of living in poverty and facing challenges and barriers. Some were 
disabled, others with families and finding themselves in low-paying jobs.

(Extract)  "The more politicians talk about solving poverty, the more people 
stay on poverty, said Elizabeth, a middle-aged black woman who is blind and 
spoke from notes in Braille.
"I come with skepticism because public officials and prospective employers sit 
for hours in meetings knowing that every minute they are there is one more day 
of their security but it's one more day to fulfill their promises made to the 
poor and disabled," she said.
Elizabeth told of barriers faced by the disabled, especially the visually 
impaired, in housing and jobs. Capable of performing work, many end up referred 
to work that is nothing more than "day care," she said.
"My challenge, and I am here speaking my mind about issues I am familiar with, 
is knowing you will do nothing," Elizabeth said. "You do not have my 
confidence. Usually at the end of the road we end up in the same place."
The only time the poor and disabled will hear again from the politicians is the 
next election season, Elizabeth said."

Published Friday, October 26, 2007

(Full article at source below)


http://www.stillwatercourier.com/articles/index.cfm?id=6057&section=mnnews,Minnesota%20News&property_id=11
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