Sen. Tim Scott thinks it’s time to turn old-fashioned poverty initiatives upside down.
Along with four colleagues, the South Carolina Republican decided that instead of “looking for things to say, we would do something unusual – we would listen . . . and find the solutions not through polls, not through statistics, but through people.”
Scott launched a new initiative Wednesday that seeks to apply “conservative solutions” to combat poverty, joined by Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and James Lankford, R-Okla.
Oftentimes, policymakers forget these facts. Charts are made, statistics are shown and the actual stories of those living in poverty are either ignored or forgotten.
Senate Opportunity Coalition
Named the Senate Opportunity Coalition, the group will focus on reaching out to families living in distressed communities to see what works, and what doesn’t. Though well-intentioned, most previous “cookie cutter approaches” to fight poverty have not accomplished their goals, Scott said.
The coalition is not pushing for one specific piece of legislation, but instead looks to piece together different initiatives and partnerships.
“We realize that there is no single bill that will combat poverty, but we’re going to embrace this time to speak with people within our states — whether it is in Native Alaskan villages or inner city Miami — to work together and offer the best solutions,” Scott said.
The Republican lawmakers’ plan Wednesday had a softer tone than their party’s usual approach to poverty, focusing on the everyday struggles of low income families.
Each senator told a firsthand, personal story from their home state.
Scott’s story focused on Minnie Johnson, a previously incarcerated mother in Spartanburg, South Carolina, who found it hard to get a job because of her criminal record, forcing her to rely on soup kitchens. Scott credited public-private partnerships for revitalizing many economically depressed communities around Spartanburg and Greenville. Through one such program, Johnson was able to obtain job training, and is now employed at a café.
“The difference made in her life, in the lives of many living paycheck to paycheck, was made possible because private citizens and businesses decided to make an investment in their community,” Scott said.
According to the coalition’s first report, they will focus on the 50 million Americans who live in economically distressed communities. Though a joint effort, the newly launched group borrows both the name and its emphasis on expanding possibilities from Scott’s “opportunity agenda,” which focuses on school choice, job training and apprenticeship in poor communities.
Vera Bergengruen: 202-383-6036, @verambergen
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