In 2006 the Minnesota
Legislature created the Legislative Commission to End Poverty in
Minnesota by 2020. The committee, made up of nine members from
the Senate and nine members from the House of Representatives,
and co-chaired by Rep. Carlos Mariani and Senator John Marty, is
responsible for developing guidelines and preparing recommendations
on how to end poverty in Minnesota by the year 2020.
The commission has met three times over the summer, taking two days
to hear testimony from various government agencies, nonprofit organizations
and citizens on the issue of poverty and the plight of the impoverished.
On August 2, 2007, Tom
Gillaspy and Tom Stinson, Minnesota’s
state demographer and state economist, respectively, provided expert
testimony describing how poverty is affecting Minnesotans today. While
Minnesota’s poverty rate of 9.2% is among the lowest in the
country, changing demographics may bring already vulnerable populations
deeper into poverty. Individuals over the age of 75 experience some
of the highest rates of poverty. As baby boomers age, the population
over age 65 will more than double by 2035. This demographic shift
could lead to a greater number and percentage of people living in
poverty if high poverty rates for the elderly continue.
Not surprising to those in the disability community is the fact that
38% of poor Minnesotans have a disability and that 19% of Minnesotans
with a disability live in poverty. Still, these poverty statistics
under-represent people with disabilities; individuals living in group
homes or institutions, many of whom have disabilities, are not counted.
On Sept. 5, 2007, Joan Willshire, Executive Director of the Minnesota
State Council on Disability, gave compelling testimony before the commission
on the factors that not only lead people with disabilities into poverty
but those that keep them there.
To engage Minnesotans
statewide and to gain a greater understanding of how poverty is
affecting different areas, the commissioners will continue to engage
in local dialogues around the state (see box below).
The commission will
report its recommendations to the legislature by December 15, 2008.
For more information on the commission or the upcoming meetings,
contact director Gregory Gray at 651-296-6397 ![]()
