The Task Force Meets
October 12, 2007
I attended the first meeting this week of the new House Task Force on Poverty. The meeting went very well and was an interesting experience for me.
The meeting took place in Room 617, a meeting room with a large horseshoe shaped table and gallery seating for an “audience” of interested parties. That last part is important, because the meetings of the committee will always be open to attendance by others, as well as the opportunity for non-committee members to speak.
There has been some press coverage of the meeting, mostly from several outlets picking up the AP story. Here’s one that appeared at Forbes.com. The same article also appeared at Netscape Money and Yahoo Finance, and several papers around the state. It’s especially interesting to see how poverty in Alabama gets national interest.
The Birmingham News editorialized about the committee. The paper has mixed feelings about the setting up of the group, as well as what might happen as a result.
I understand that. But Kimble Forrister, also on the task force, and I agree that, at the very least, the work of the committee will raise awareness of the nature of poverty in Alabama and will give a higher profile to the conversation about what we can do to address the matter.
Patricia Todd deserves a lot of credit for pursuing the creation of this group, and she brings a warm, open, hopeful spirit to the group. A part of that spirit is reflected in the makeup of the task force. A Democrat, Patricia insisted on significant Republican representation. So Mike Ball, a GOP representative from Huntsville, is co-chair. He comes from a low-wealth background himself. Take a look at this article that tells his story. Good stuff.
I hope you’ll keep up with what happens with the task force. We will meet next on November 6, again in Montgomery. At that time we anticipate setting up subcommittees that will work on the various aspects of our work. You’ll be welcome to come!
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