STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2919

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.R. No. 74

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.R. No. 74 entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE FORMATION OF A JOINT POVERTY REDUCTION TASK FORCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to request the formation of a joint legislative task force to study and evaluate surrounding poverty and the policies and practices that would address how to reduce families and individuals living in poverty by at least fifty per cent by 2020.

 

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that poverty is a pervasive problem, especially for those individuals and families living in Hawaii where the cost of living is well above most other states in America.  Children that grow up impoverished carry their problems into adulthood and statistically are more likely to have behavioral and health problems.  Your Committee also finds that the social cost of poverty, including increased crime rates and negative economic impacts, are detrimental to our communities and should be addressed.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 74 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

		____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair