Women’s Initiative for Self Employment supports SB 1084, California Economic Security Task Force

In partnership with Insight Center for Community Economic Development, Women’s Initiative for Self Employment supports SB 1084, California Economic Security Task Force, which would create a two-year, bipartisan Task Force that would be responsible for creating a unified plan for reducing poverty and increasing economic security among Californians. The Task Force would include members of the Legislature, Secretaries and Directors of state agencies, members of the public, and representatives of key stakeholder groups who must work together if we are to help Californians move toward economic security. Executive Directors in each region submitted letters of support on behalf of the organization.

Women’s Initiative wrote a letter of support for the Senate Bill 1084 because it is important to the organization and to the 20,000 women we have served in the San Francisco Bay Area to help achieve prosperity, safety, and well-being for families in our communities.

The combined effects of the recession, high unemployment, and the state budget crisis have resulted in our state’s poverty level growing to 12.8 % in recent years. California has a particularly high number of working families living in poverty: 89% of poor families have at least one household member who is employed. Adjusted to include the cost of living, San Francisco has a poverty rate of 19%. Food costs alone have increased 15% in the past five years.

SB 1084 will be heard before the Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 3191. Now, more than ever, we need to be smart about how we tackle poverty and increase economic security for California’s families. By working together and using our limited resources wisely, we can continue to be a state of prosperity, growth, and opportunity.