HB 1064 Moves Forward: A new approach to tackling poverty

In a packed room at the statehouse, dozens of advocacy groups and service provides testified in support of HB 1064, a bill that would create a task force dedicated to taking a comprehensive, strategic approach to fighting poverty and advancing economic opportunity. HB 1064 cleared the House State Affairs Committee by a 9-2 vote.

Here's one take from our partners at 9 to 5 about a board member who delivered some particularly compelling testimony:

Patricia Ramirez, 9to5 Board Member, spoke out today about her life
experiences with poverty to help pass H.B. 1064! Her personal story about her
struggles and successes with poverty touched House Representatives in a way that
helped them vote YES today to ending poverty!

Today, the Senate Affairs Floor heard from testimony from Patricia Ramirez
and a diverse range of community organizations in support of H.B. 1064.
Patricia Ramirez told a story about how poverty affects the whole person and
described the barriers that are in place to become self-sufficient. She
spoke about how gaining entrance into one door oftentimes closes another.
She spoke about the need to understand poverty in a holistic way rather than in
pieces. The many issues of poverty are all interconnected. During
this time when child poverty is growing faster than any other state, when
unemployment is growing, and people are losing their homes and health care, an
answer to the end of poverty is needed more than ever! We can't wait for
an answer, we have to find one now, and that's exactly what H.B. 1064 will help
accomplish. H.B. 1064 will create a ten-member legislative task
force to develop a strategic, integrated plan to expand economic opportunities
and reduce the number of Coloradans living in poverty by 50 percent by
2019. This bill is sponsored by Rep. John Kefalas and Sen. Paula
Sandoval. H.B. 1064 passed overwhelmingly today on the Senate Affairs
Floor! There are still many more steps until the bill will be passed, but
today we made a huge step forward. We are so proud of
Patricia! Thanks so much for being such a strong voice and advocate for
those who need an end to poverty now! Please contact Bridget at
bridget@9to5.org or 303-628-0925 if you would like to support H.B. 1064.

Thanks!
Bridget Reavy, MSW
Colorado Organizer
9to5, Colorado

CCLP and COFPI applaud Rep. Kefalas and look forward to continuing our work in support of this critical legislation.