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The poverty rate in Ulster County has jumped significantly in the last year, from just under 11% to well over 12%. In New York State, 13.6% of us earned less last year than the federal poverty level, currently defined as $10,830 for an individual, $14,570 for a couple and $22,050 for a family of four. Hard to fathom isn't it? I mean, you are earning enough to have Internet service, so you might not grasp what poverty is.
In neighboring counties such as Sullivan: the rate jumped from under 14% to over 17%. Orange County decreased the level from 10.5% to about 9%. [Lucky them] The financial collapse in Newburgh will probably send that right back up by next spring.
The formula that helps distinguish what we call poverty is based on the cost of living in each of the counties listed here. However it doesn't account for families collecting from Social Services and/or collecting unemployment and food stamps to offset their means.
Applications for such services continue to mount throughout the state. The Hudson Valley is no exception. The dependence on food pantries and HEAP stipends is gaining in demand while the working poor struggle in a state that is bleeding manufacturing jobs, quality schooling and affordable housing.
There are over 180,000 people in Ulster County. More than 20,000 are at or under the poverty rate. 6,000 of those are children. The estimated number of uninsured in Ulster County is 26,000. This is just one factor leading to the high rate of low birth-weight in the area. About 8.5%. It's also a key factor in why many firms will not consider our county for relocation.
What does all this mean?? It means the time to invest in the betterment of our community is now. Those who have the task of making spending decisions, such as myself, have to work with other municipalities and the County to decrease spending and focus on the assets we have in Ulster.
People don't want canned answers to these questions. I suggest being clear on our intent on the county level regarding just what we intend to do about it. Commuter rail and solar energy models may be great long term plans [I've supported them here numerous times] But the effort to keep the lower middle class from slipping into the "hard to escape" cycle of poverty should be the same level of concern as keeping the tax increases to a minimum.
On a closing note: I do hope the Governor reconsiders his drastic cuts to housing and higher education for the 2010 budget. Our climb away from these statistics and the resurgence of a strong business community in Kingston and beyond depends on it.
I'm sure it's been all over the news. The third and final stage in increasing the Federal minimum wage has kicked in. With 30 states already above the federal rate, only 20 states will feel the affect, but it has real significance when it comes to feeding a family on minimum wage.
For over a decade, the leadership in DC has blocked the federal increase, claiming the increase would adversely impact manufacturing and small business in the states with lower rates. Not so, according to most economic scholars.
Once the Democrats took control of Congress, they set in motion a three part program to increase the minimum. The first step went from $5.15 [frozen since 1997] to $5.85. Last year the rate went to $6.55 and now, finally, $7.25.
You realize that back in 2007, the Democrat controlled Congress had to attach this provision in the Iraq War spending package that President Bush desperately wanted. He also made it clear that he wouldn't accept it unless it had a massive tax break for the wealthiest 5% and big business. Congress trimmed his request down to a mere $5 Billion in tax breaks where he finally broke down and signed it.
According to the details I've found, this raise will put an extra $2,000 a year into the pay-checks of a full-time minimum wage worker. According to the Economic Policy Institute, that increase will generate over $5 billion in consumer spending over the next year. At least that's the plan. How many of these workers were already so far behind on their bills that this will seem like a stop-gap measure to keep them out of the homeless shelters?
This is not money that will be saved for a rainy day or spent on lavish vacations overseas. But it will bring a small percentage of those affected back to the poverty line that they had fallen below during the last five years or so.
Now that we have placed a minimum wage to keep those with jobs - working with dignity, how about creating new ones?
Wednesday evening, a small group of 20+ gathered at the Unitarian Sanctuary on Sawkill Rd in the Town of Kingston to witness a panel discussion on POVERTY.
I had the privilege to catch the second half and got a refresher course on where weve been, are and going in these tougher times ahead.
The eminent financial crunch that is about to swamp every municipality and government agency is going to push more people into harms way.
Panelists were: Michael Berg from Family of Woodstock, Rev Darlene Kelly from the Clinton Ave Church/soup kitchen, and Roberto Rodriguez from UC DSS.
The forum was hosted by Mark Halenstein, PhD, who specializes in legal and social justice issues.
The issues were numerous, many focused on the City of Kingston and the County’s handling of our most vulnerable. The working poor are under-represented and of course the charming history of the Kings Inn and the housing of homeless on Broadway right in the most troubled area.
Addiction and financial issues play a huge roll in incarceration and the 85% recidivism rate. Where do you go after your 28 day program? Right back to the hell you ran away from, without community help, there is little chance of breaking free of the cycle.
Rev Kelly suggested placing rehab centers right in the middle of the problem zone. I didn’t quite follow the reasoning. I would want to separate those who seek a fresh start from the dealers they live with. But where to place people?
There is no housing. Kingston as a City has done its share and other towns aren’t willing to step up with services because it may cost them a few dollars. I agree with the panelists who are struggling with limited resources and an increasing client load, but the economic situation and killer fuel prices are beating down the taxpayers as well.
When speaking of the invisible citizenry, Mr. Rodriguez sited a study; in 2006 approximately 13 MILLION children in the U.S. were living below the poverty line, That’s a sad statistic for a country of such wealth. The effects and the conditions of childhood poverty, destitution and despair can be devastating in a child's life and in the life of the adult that child is to become.
My question…when will Lloyd, Woodstock, Saugerties and the rest of the towns step up and provide housing for the homeless and section 8 developments? We should all help them to help themselves, but that won’t happen if you continue to ship them to Kingston and forget about them.
You can review a much more detailed review of this meeting on Nancy Smith’s “Spreading Our Wings” Blog, she was also present. Thanks Nancy.
The poverty rate in Ulster County has jumped significantly in the last year, from just under 11% to well over 12%. In New York State, 13.6% of us earned less last year than the federal poverty level, currently defined as $10,830 for an individual, $14,570 for a couple and $22,050 for a family of four. Hard to fathom isn't it? I mean, you are earning enough to have Internet service, so you might not grasp what poverty is.
Applications for such services continue to mount throughout the state. The Hudson Valley is no exception. The dependence on food pantries and HEAP stipends is gaining in demand while the working poor struggle in a state that is bleeding manufacturing jobs, quality schooling and affordable housing.
People don't want canned answers to these questions. I suggest being clear on our intent on the county level regarding just what we intend to do about it. Commuter rail and solar energy models may be great long term plans [I've supported them here numerous times] But the effort to keep the lower middle class from slipping into the "hard to escape" cycle of poverty should be the same level of concern as keeping the tax increases to a minimum.
