The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
After focusing on education, transportation and the environment in his first three years, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is also turning his attention to poverty in the remaining months of his administration.
On Thursday, the governor announced a poverty task force that is expected to present its recommendations in spring 2010, after his term has ended.
Nearly 10 percent of Virginia's 7.7 million residents - roughly 739,000 people - live below the federal poverty line of $20,650 in annual income for a family of four.
"Helping Virginians lift themselves out of poverty will not be easy or quick, but it is imperative that we find ways to protect children in poverty and provide economic opportunities for all Virginians," Kaine said.
Michael Cassidy, executive director of the nonprofit Commonwealth Institute, said that amid a worsening economy, Virginia "is stuck in the mud when it comes to tackling poverty in our state."
Kaine used Thursday's forum to again chide House Republicans for their rejection of $125 million in unemployment stimulus dollars to help out-of-work Virginians.
Legislators turned down the money because Virginia had to extend unemployment benefits to part-time workers to receive the bailout money. Historically, Virginia has given unemployment benefits only to full-time workers who lose jobs.
Republican officials contend that the cost to cover the extra benefits after the federal money was spent would be onerous to businesses and would slow recovery from the recession.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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This comment probably sent the VP censors jumping out windows.
It is time for people to grow up and accept responsibility for their own situations. My parents were from West Virginia, one of the most poverty stricken states in this country. My father was in the navy and by the grace of my mother I was raised here. My father abandoned the family and my mother worked two jobs in order to support my brother and me. We never once lived in government housing, never once used food stamps, never once on any type of public assistance. When I graduated high school in 1983 my grandparents still lived the house my mother was raised in, iron stove in the kitchen for both cooking and heat, a hand pump for running water, and an outhouse for your personal needs, and walls plastered with newspaper to keep the cold out (like that was really possible). Don't tell me about poor and the system stacked against you. Poor doesn’t mean stupid and poor doesn’t mean you get a free pass at personal responsibility and hard work.
and further more.....
I would like to further say it's time for you folks who have nothing but disdain for the poor to WAKE UP and see how our society continues to keep people down with methods that discriminate against the poor. All of our society's ills, (crime, poor health, lack of education, no family units, gangs, no affordable housing, etc.) are rooted in discrimination towards the poor - ALL POOR folks, regardless of race, creed and color. Discrimination is a form of HATE and god knows we have had enough of that. POpulation control and new and better ways of helping people HELP THEMSELVES is a tall order here but way overdue. Helping people to empower themselves is the key and also changing the RULES which have brought us to this point. For once in your life, have some COMPASSION> there is a better way. The old way does not work anymore and it is bringing all of society down.
GET REAL & WAKE UP.
the system keeps people down
OK so you say we are making people helpless by trying to help them out of poverty. That is BS and I'll tell you why. First, the "system" is set up to put the disempowered at the bottom of the ladder & keep them there. I'm talking about the outrageous price of housing, a justice system seems to prey on the disadvantaged, medical care (that is non existent because if you have no money and you then you have no insurance) .And even if you have insurance you still can't afford care because you are still paying out of pocket, co-pays, deductables, etc. You think a job is the solution to not being poor? That is even a bigger fallacy. Most JOBS don't pay a living wage unless you are a high powered professional. The middle class can't make it anymore and they do have some education. Try getting a decent loan if you are living under the poverty line -you can't, and if you can it will come with an obscene interest rate. If you are honest with yourself and you really investigate the reality of how this society stacks the cards against the poor, (housing, insurance, the legal system, the employment system,) you will see that your simple moronic solution of "just get a job" is just another f
I am all for helping people
I am all for helping people that NEED HELP, but we are turning people into helpless people. There is no incentive to do better. Let's help with housing and food......bread, water and a roof over your head. Cruel, maybe, effective YES. If you don't like bread, water and a tin roof.....get a J O B. There is work out there, it may not be what you wanna do, but it will raise your standard of living.
I get out of bed and off the couch daily to go to work. Why can't you?
the Governor's poverty task force
It is a noble idea, to eliminate poverty. However, until you can motivate those same individuals to stay in school, stay away from drugs and alcohol, tobacco and wasteful, unneccesary spending, they are going to perpetuate their economic plight
Its also noble to give money to help people that are less fortunate than you. However, use your own money and don't force me to pay for somebody elses mistakes and poor judgement. After all, I'm sure Gov. Tim Kayne earns a lot more than I do. He must be much smarter, too. After all, he is the Governor!