Senator Carolyn Laine
  • Home
  • Donate
  • About
    • Awards
    • Accomplishments
  • Issues
  • Blog
  • Contact

Addressing Poverty in Minnesota's Families

12/28/2015

1 Comment

 
Far too many Minnesotans are suffering through extreme economic insecurity. Too many are experiencing unemployment or underemployment, low wages, gender-based income disparities, inadequate health care, educational disparities in both K-12 and higher ed opportunities, housing unavailability, the list goes on.

Poverty has been increasing in all age brackets and racial groups since the recession. Disparities that existed before between rich and poor and between racial groups are getting worse. It especially impacts children.

40% of African American children, 30% of Native American children, 25% of Hispanic children, 20% of Asian Americans, and 10% of white children are in poverty. Recognizing that 85% of our population is white, that 10% number is very large. Why so much poverty?!

Our economy is recovering, but most of the gains are going to the top 1% in America. We desperately need to recover an economy that works for all.

That economy is fueled by the spending of the working and middle class. The engine of our economy is and has always been fueled from the “middle out,” never via a “trickle down.” This is where our attention must go.

We must also understand and acknowledge that our state has some of the worst racial disparities in the nation. Minnesota is ranked as one of the best states for overall quality of life, yet it is the second-worst state for African Americans. We cannot rest easy with this reality.

The stress and lack of hope in long-term poverty defeats the soul, closes down the heart, and damages the brain. Poverty must be addressed.
  • A livable wage is the straightest shot into the heart of poverty.
  • Access to good health care, stable housing, and nutritious food are basic rights.
  • Opportunities for jobs and educational skills open doors.
Let’s have the political will to go where poverty weighs down our neighbors and help lift the burden. Let’s do it for the children.
​
1 Comment
Kaleb link
5/8/2019 09:07:40 pm

Thank you for addressing this Carolyn.!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Carolyn Laine, Minnesota House of Representatives,
    District 41B

    Archives

    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All
    Campaign Finance Reform
    Children
    Climate Change
    Dayton
    Doulas
    Livable Wage
    Mining
    Moms
    Poverty
    Unions
    Voter Registration
    Workers Rights

    RSS Feed

Home     |     About     |     Issues     |       Blog      |     Contribute    |     Gallery     |     Contact

© 2016. Carolyn Laine for Senate. All Rights Reserved.           Prepared and paid for by Carolyn Laine for Senate.
Link to: Official MN House Website