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>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "AT ISSUE."
ISSUE." I AM H. WAYNE WILSON.
I AM H. WAYNE WILSON. THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF
THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1964 CREATED THE OFFICE OF
1964 CREATED THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY WHICH WAS
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO TAKE FEDERAL FUNDS
DESIGNED TO TAKE FEDERAL FUNDS AND USE THEM LOCALLY TO FIGHT
AND USE THEM LOCALLY TO FIGHT THE WAR ON POVERTY.
THE WAR ON POVERTY. THAT'S HOW WE CAME TO KNOW THE
THAT'S HOW WE CAME TO KNOW THE ACT OF 1964, THE WAR ON POVERTY.
ACT OF 1964, THE WAR ON POVERTY. IT WAS ANNOUNCED JANUARY 8,
IT WAS ANNOUNCED JANUARY 8, 1964, IN THE STATE OF THE UNION
1964, IN THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT LYNDON
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT LYNDON BANES JOHNSON.
BANES JOHNSON. WE ARE THOUSAND AT THE 50TH
WE ARE THOUSAND AT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THAT ACT.
ANNIVERSARY OF THAT ACT. WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS THE
WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OR MAYBE SOME AREAS
PROGRESS OR MAYBE SOME AREAS WHERE WE HAVEN'T PROGRESSED IN
WHERE WE HAVEN'T PROGRESSED IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR HERE ON "AT
THE NEXT HALF HOUR HERE ON "AT ISSUE."
ISSUE." TO DO THAT, WE HAVE DONE JACKSON
TO DO THAT, WE HAVE DONE JACKSON WITH US.
WITH US. DON IS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF
DON IS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE
THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE N.A.A.C.P. HERE IN PEORIA, AND A
N.A.A.C.P. HERE IN PEORIA, AND A PAST TEN YEAR PRESIDENT OF
PAST TEN YEAR PRESIDENT OF STATE.
STATE. >>THAT'S CORRECT, YES.
>>THAT'S CORRECT, YES. >>AND WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING
>>AND WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
US. MY PLEASURE.
MY PLEASURE. McFARLAND BRAGG WHO IS
McFARLAND BRAGG WHO IS PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE
PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE PEORIA CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR
PEORIA CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, COMMUNITY
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY WOULD BE A TERM
ACTION AGENCY WOULD BE A TERM MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE FAMILIAR
MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH, PART OF THE PCCEO.
WITH, PART OF THE PCCEO. >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. >>BEFORE WE GET STARTED WITH THE
>>BEFORE WE GET STARTED WITH THE CONVERSATION, A COUPLE OF
CONVERSATION, A COUPLE OF COMMENTS, FIRST, DEBORAH WHITE,
COMMENTS, FIRST, DEBORAH WHITE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MID
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MID CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTION IN
CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTION IN McLEAN COUNTY, ATTEMPTED TO
McLEAN COUNTY, ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HERE TODAY.
DRIVE HERE TODAY. WE WILL MISS HER CONVERSATION.
WE WILL MISS HER CONVERSATION. SHE GOT HALFWAY HERE AND PULLED
SHE GOT HALFWAY HERE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD AFTER SEEING TOO
OFF THE ROAD AFTER SEEING TOO MANY CARS IN THE DITCH.
MANY CARS IN THE DITCH. BECAUSE WE RECORDED THIS A WEEK
BECAUSE WE RECORDED THIS A WEEK AGO WHEN THERE WAS A SNOWSTORM.
AGO WHEN THERE WAS A SNOWSTORM. WHEN THIS AIRS, IT IS PROBABLY
WHEN THIS AIRS, IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE SUNNY AND
GOING TO BE SUNNY AND 45 DEGREES.
45 DEGREES. >>WE HOPE!
>>WE HOPE! >>WE HOPE!
>>WE HOPE! (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>SECONDLY, EVERY YEAR, I READ
>>SECONDLY, EVERY YEAR, I READ TO THE KIDS IN THE FOURTH GRADE
TO THE KIDS IN THE FOURTH GRADE CLASS AT KELLER SCHOOL IN
CLASS AT KELLER SCHOOL IN DISTRICT 150, AND AGAIN, THIS
DISTRICT 150, AND AGAIN, THIS YEAR I HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY.
YEAR I HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY. I LEARNED A LOT BY READING
I LEARNED A LOT BY READING "WIMPY KIDS" WHICH I HAD NOT HAD
"WIMPY KIDS" WHICH I HAD NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO BEFORE.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO BEFORE. GRAMMAR IS NOT A STRENGTH OF
GRAMMAR IS NOT A STRENGTH OF THAT BOOK, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY
THAT BOOK, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY ENTERTAINING.
ENTERTAINING. I'D LIKE TO SAY HI TO ALL THE
I'D LIKE TO SAY HI TO ALL THE CHILDREN IN MRS. SHAW'S FOURTH
CHILDREN IN MRS. SHAW'S FOURTH GRADE CLASS AT KELLER SCHOOL.
GRADE CLASS AT KELLER SCHOOL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. MRS. SHAW, I LOOK FORWARD TO
MRS. SHAW, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT YEAR READING AT
SEEING YOU NEXT YEAR READING AT KELLER SCHOOL AGAIN.
KELLER SCHOOL AGAIN. THERE YOU SEE ALL THE KIDS'
THERE YOU SEE ALL THE KIDS' SIGNATURES.
SIGNATURES. EVERY YEAR THEY SIGN FORM I HAVE
EVERY YEAR THEY SIGN FORM I HAVE HERE.
HERE. CARSON AND JENNA AND MADISON,
CARSON AND JENNA AND MADISON, AND KELSEY, AND MONTARIAN.
AND KELSEY, AND MONTARIAN. THANK YOU FOR ENTERTAINING ME.
THANK YOU FOR ENTERTAINING ME. WITH THAT, LET'S GET DOWN TO THE
WITH THAT, LET'S GET DOWN TO THE ACT.
ACT. JANUARY 8, IT WAS ANNOUNCED --
JANUARY 8, IT WAS ANNOUNCED -- IT WASN'T TOO MUCH LONGER BEFORE
IT WASN'T TOO MUCH LONGER BEFORE IT WAS PASSED.
IT WAS PASSED. IN GENERAL, JUST OVERVIEW, WHAT
IN GENERAL, JUST OVERVIEW, WHAT KIND OF PROGRESS HAVE WE MADE IN
KIND OF PROGRESS HAVE WE MADE IN THE PAST 50 YEARS WITH REGARD TO
THE PAST 50 YEARS WITH REGARD TO THE WAR ON POVERTY?
THE WAR ON POVERTY? >> WELL, IN MY OPINION, VERY,
>> WELL, IN MY OPINION, VERY, VERY LITTLE.
VERY LITTLE. IN FACT, MAYBE WE NEED A SECOND
IN FACT, MAYBE WE NEED A SECOND GENERATION WAR ON POVERTY
GENERATION WAR ON POVERTY BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO GROW IN
BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO GROW IN THIS COUNTRY, AND CERTAINLY IN
THIS COUNTRY, AND CERTAINLY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
OUR COMMUNITY. SO WHILE THE EFFORT HAS BEEN
SO WHILE THE EFFORT HAS BEEN THERE OVER THE YEARS, WE STILL
THERE OVER THE YEARS, WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN POVERTY,
HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN POVERTY, AND BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC
AND BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS COUNTRY
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS COUNTRY TODAY, PEOPLE -- THE MIDDLE
TODAY, PEOPLE -- THE MIDDLE CLASS THAT USED TO BE
CLASS THAT USED TO BE CONTRIBUTORS TOWARDS PEOPLE
CONTRIBUTORS TOWARDS PEOPLE OF -- WHO WERE IN POVERTY ARE
OF -- WHO WERE IN POVERTY ARE NOW FINDING THEMSELVES IN
NOW FINDING THEMSELVES IN POVERTY AS WELL.
POVERTY AS WELL. SO THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. BUT
SO THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE FACTS WILL
I BELIEVE THAT THE FACTS WILL BEAR THAT OPINION OUT.
BEAR THAT OPINION OUT. >> McFARLAND?
>> McFARLAND? >> I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT
>> I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT SPECIFIC EXAMPLES THAT CREATED
SPECIFIC EXAMPLES THAT CREATED THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TODAY,
THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TODAY, AND THAT'S BASICALLY WAS THE
AND THAT'S BASICALLY WAS THE GREAT RECESSION THAT STARTED IN
GREAT RECESSION THAT STARTED IN LATE 2004, EARLY 2008,
LATE 2004, EARLY 2008, CATERPILLAR DOWNSIZED A
CATERPILLAR DOWNSIZED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF
SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS, BUT PEOPLE DON'T
INDIVIDUALS, BUT PEOPLE DON'T TAKE INTO CONVERSATION, THE
TAKE INTO CONVERSATION, THE ANCILLARY IMPACT THAT HAD.
ANCILLARY IMPACT THAT HAD. BECAUSE A LOT OF THE SMALL
BECAUSE A LOT OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAD CONTRACTS
BUSINESSES THAT HAD CONTRACTS WITH CATERPILLAR TO PROVIDE
WITH CATERPILLAR TO PROVIDE PARTS, TO PROVIDE OTHER
PARTS, TO PROVIDE OTHER SERVICES, WHEN CATERPILLAR
SERVICES, WHEN CATERPILLAR DOWNSIZED, THEY WENT BY THE
DOWNSIZED, THEY WENT BY THE WAYSIDE.
WAYSIDE. SO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO, AS DON
SO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO, AS DON SAID, WERE MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES
SAID, WERE MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES TAKING CARE OF PAYING TAXES,
TAKING CARE OF PAYING TAXES, TAKING CARE OF THEIR
TAKING CARE OF THEIR COMMUNITIES, THEY ARE NOW
COMMUNITIES, THEY ARE NOW UNEMPLOYED AND SEEKING
UNEMPLOYED AND SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM COMMUNITY
ASSISTANCE FROM COMMUNITY ACTION, SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM
ACTION, SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM LOCAL AREA FOOD PANTRIES BECAUSE
LOCAL AREA FOOD PANTRIES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INCOME TO
THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INCOME TO STRETCH THEIR MONEY TO PROVIDE
STRETCH THEIR MONEY TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THE FAMILIES THROUGH
FOOD FOR THE FAMILIES THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH.
THE END OF THE MONTH. SO THAT NUMBER HAS INCREASED
SO THAT NUMBER HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
SIGNIFICANTLY. JUST SOME BASIC INFORMATION
JUST SOME BASIC INFORMATION BETWEEN 2012 AND 2013, THE
BETWEEN 2012 AND 2013, THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CONSIDERED IN POVERTY IN PEORIA
CONSIDERED IN POVERTY IN PEORIA HAS INCREASED BY 2,000.
HAS INCREASED BY 2,000. >> BY 2,000 PEOPLE IN ONE YEAR?
>> BY 2,000 PEOPLE IN ONE YEAR? >> YES.
>> YES. >>YOU TALK ABOUT THE CHANGE FROM
>>YOU TALK ABOUT THE CHANGE FROM 2009 TO THE CURRENT YEAR.
2009 TO THE CURRENT YEAR. IF WE HAD NOT HAD THE ACTS THAT
IF WE HAD NOT HAD THE ACTS THAT OCCURRED IN 1964 AND '65, WE
OCCURRED IN 1964 AND '65, WE WILL TALK ABOUT THERE ARE FOUR
WILL TALK ABOUT THERE ARE FOUR ACTS THAT OCCURRED BACK THEM,
ACTS THAT OCCURRED BACK THEM, WHERE WOULD WE BE?
WHERE WOULD WE BE? >> I THINK THAT THOSE NUMBERS --
>> I THINK THAT THOSE NUMBERS -- THE NUMBER THAT INCREASED
THE NUMBER THAT INCREASED FROM -- THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE
FROM -- THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE FROM 2011 TO 2012 WOULD PROBABLY
FROM 2011 TO 2012 WOULD PROBABLY BE TRIPLE, AND THAT'S ON THE LOW
BE TRIPLE, AND THAT'S ON THE LOW NUMBER.
NUMBER. >>LET'S TALK ABOUT THOSE ACTS
>>LET'S TALK ABOUT THOSE ACTS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY
JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS AWARE OF THE GREAT SOCIETY
IS AWARE OF THE GREAT SOCIETY AND THE FOUR MAIN ACTS THAT
AND THE FOUR MAIN ACTS THAT OCCURRED IN '64, AND '65.
OCCURRED IN '64, AND '65. ECONOMIC ACT OF 1964 WHICH WE
ECONOMIC ACT OF 1964 WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY REFERENCED.
HAVE ALREADY REFERENCED. FOOD STAMP P ACT OF 1964,
FOOD STAMP P ACT OF 1964, ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT OF 1965, AND THE
EDUCATION ACT OF 1965, AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1965.
SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1965. BEFORE YOU SAY SOCIAL SECURITY
BEFORE YOU SAY SOCIAL SECURITY WAS IN PLACE IN THE 30'S, YES,
WAS IN PLACE IN THE 30'S, YES, IT WAS, BUT THAT ACT OF '65
IT WAS, BUT THAT ACT OF '65 CREATED MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
CREATED MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PROGRAM.
PROGRAM. SO WITHOUT THOSE, WHERE WOULD WE
SO WITHOUT THOSE, WHERE WOULD WE BE?
BE? >> IN DEEP TROUBLE AS FAR AS --
>> IN DEEP TROUBLE AS FAR AS -- YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS I AM
YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.
CONCERNED. PEOPLE THAT NEED THAT HELP --
PEOPLE THAT NEED THAT HELP -- WELL, YOU KNOW, I GUESS IN
WELL, YOU KNOW, I GUESS IN REALITY, ONE OF THE ANCILLARY
REALITY, ONE OF THE ANCILLARY PROBLEMS THAT WE WOULD BE
PROBLEMS THAT WE WOULD BE FACING, I THINK CRIME WOULD BE
FACING, I THINK CRIME WOULD BE UP IN -- I JUST LEARNED THAT
UP IN -- I JUST LEARNED THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF *** IN
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF *** IN OUR COMMUNITY, CRIME IS DOWN IN
OUR COMMUNITY, CRIME IS DOWN IN ALL CATEGORIES.
ALL CATEGORIES. BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE UP
BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE UP BECAUSE PEOPLE -- IT IS THE OLD
BECAUSE PEOPLE -- IT IS THE OLD THEORY, SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.
THEORY, SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. PEOPLE WOULD FIND WAYS TO FEED
PEOPLE WOULD FIND WAYS TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES TO PROTECT THEM.
THEIR FAMILIES TO PROTECT THEM. BUT FOR PROGRAMS LIKE FOOD
BUT FOR PROGRAMS LIKE FOOD STAMPS AND BUT FOR PROGRAMS LIKE
STAMPS AND BUT FOR PROGRAMS LIKE ASSISTANCE WITH UTILITIES THAT
ASSISTANCE WITH UTILITIES THAT WE OPERATE AT THE COMMUNITY
WE OPERATE AT THE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, THOSE PEOPLE
ACTION AGENCY, THOSE PEOPLE WOULD BE IN DIRE STRAITS TODAY.
WOULD BE IN DIRE STRAITS TODAY. THANKS TO THE FORESIGHT OF
THANKS TO THE FORESIGHT OF LYNDON JOHNSON, PRESIDENT LYNDON
LYNDON JOHNSON, PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON, WHILE WE ARE NOT BETTER
JOHNSON, WHILE WE ARE NOT BETTER OFF TODAY, AT LEAST PEOPLE HAVE
OFF TODAY, AT LEAST PEOPLE HAVE A SOCIAL NETWORK OF SOMETHING TO
A SOCIAL NETWORK OF SOMETHING TO FALL BACK ONTO ASSIST THEM IN
FALL BACK ONTO ASSIST THEM IN TIMES OF THIS NATURE.
TIMES OF THIS NATURE. >>LET ME TURN TO McFARLAND
>>LET ME TURN TO McFARLAND AGAIN AND ASK IN TERMS OF YOUR
AGAIN AND ASK IN TERMS OF YOUR LOCAL OPERATION, YOU HAVE A
LOCAL OPERATION, YOU HAVE A LIHEAP PROGRAM.
LIHEAP PROGRAM. >>YES.
>>YES. >>ENERGY ASSISTANCE.
>>ENERGY ASSISTANCE. WHERE ARE YOU FINANCIALLY THERE?
WHERE ARE YOU FINANCIALLY THERE? >> ACTUALLY OUR ENERGY
>> ACTUALLY OUR ENERGY ASSISTANCE SIGN UP DAY FOR
ASSISTANCE SIGN UP DAY FOR FEBRUARY YESTERDAY.
FEBRUARY YESTERDAY. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE
IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE SERVED OVER TEN THOUSAND
SERVED OVER TEN THOUSAND HOUSEHOLDS JUST IN PEORIA
HOUSEHOLDS JUST IN PEORIA COUNTY.
COUNTY. I MET WITH STAFF A WEEK AGO, WE
I MET WITH STAFF A WEEK AGO, WE ANTICIPATED WE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH
ANTICIPATED WE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO
FUNDING TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE END OF
INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE END OF FEBRUARY.
FEBRUARY. UNLESS THE STATE GIVES US SOME
UNLESS THE STATE GIVES US SOME ADDITIONAL DOLLARS, WE ARE GOING
ADDITIONAL DOLLARS, WE ARE GOING TO BE OUT OF MONEY AT THE END OF
TO BE OUT OF MONEY AT THE END OF FEBRUARY.
FEBRUARY. >>THAT WOULD BE THE HALF YEAR
>>THAT WOULD BE THE HALF YEAR MARK FOR THAT PROGRAM.
MARK FOR THAT PROGRAM. >>YES, CORRECT.
>>YES, CORRECT. >>ONE OF THE THINGS -- ONE OF
>>ONE OF THE THINGS -- ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT CAME OUT OF
THE PROGRAMS THAT CAME OUT OF THIS LEGISLATION, 50 YEARS AGO,
THIS LEGISLATION, 50 YEARS AGO, WAS THE HEAD START PROGRAM.
WAS THE HEAD START PROGRAM. WHERE ARE WE WITH HEAD START
WHERE ARE WE WITH HEAD START FUNDING?
FUNDING? >> DUE TO SEQUESTRATION, WE
>> DUE TO SEQUESTRATION, WE ACTUALLY LOST 5.72% OF OUR
ACTUALLY LOST 5.72% OF OUR FUNDING EFFECTIVE JULY 1 OF
FUNDING EFFECTIVE JULY 1 OF 2013.
2013. THANKFULLY, WITH THE OMNIBUS
THANKFULLY, WITH THE OMNIBUS BUDGET ACT OF 2014 THAT WAS
BUDGET ACT OF 2014 THAT WAS APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE
APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT, WE WILL GET THOSE
PRESIDENT, WE WILL GET THOSE DOLLARS BACK WHICH MEANS WE WILL
DOLLARS BACK WHICH MEANS WE WILL RESTORE 35 SLOTS, 35 HEAD START
RESTORE 35 SLOTS, 35 HEAD START SLOTS, SIX EARLY HEAD START
SLOTS, SIX EARLY HEAD START SLOTS OF WE WILL BE ABLE TO
SLOTS OF WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING BACK TWO OF THE EDUCATION
BRING BACK TWO OF THE EDUCATION STAFF THAT WE HAD TO LAYOFF.
STAFF THAT WE HAD TO LAYOFF. WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING BACK
WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING BACK NINE OF THE 18 -- EXCUSE ME, WE
NINE OF THE 18 -- EXCUSE ME, WE FUNDED 18 TRAINING SLOTS WITH
FUNDED 18 TRAINING SLOTS WITH PARENTS.
PARENTS. WE HAD TO DOWNSIZE NINE OF
WE HAD TO DOWNSIZE NINE OF THOSE.
THOSE. WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING THOSE
WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING THOSE BACK.
BACK. SO WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE
SO WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION IN TERMS OF
SPECIFIC INFORMATION IN TERMS OF HOW THAT IS GOING TO BE APPLIED.
HOW THAT IS GOING TO BE APPLIED. BUT WHEN I MET WITH THEM, THE
BUT WHEN I MET WITH THEM, THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY, IN
LAST WEEK OF JANUARY, IN WASHINGTON, AT OUR LEADERSHIP
WASHINGTON, AT OUR LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, WE KNOW THOSE FUNDS
CONFERENCE, WE KNOW THOSE FUNDS ARE BEING RESTORED.
ARE BEING RESTORED. WE ARE WAITING FOR SPECIFIC
WE ARE WAITING FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS HOW THAT WILL GET
INSTRUCTIONS HOW THAT WILL GET DONE.
DONE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WORK FORCE
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT, LOOK AT ADULTS.
DEVELOPMENT, LOOK AT ADULTS. LET'S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
LET'S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT HEAD START.
ABOUT HEAD START. >>YOU KNOW, MAC HAS CERTAINLY
>>YOU KNOW, MAC HAS CERTAINLY OUTLINED IN A VERY DETAILED
OUTLINED IN A VERY DETAILED MANNER THE TECHNICALITIES OF THE
MANNER THE TECHNICALITIES OF THE PROGRAM, FINANCIALLY WHERE WE
PROGRAM, FINANCIALLY WHERE WE ARE AT WITH IT.
ARE AT WITH IT. BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT THE
BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT THE VALUE OF HEAD START TO THIS
VALUE OF HEAD START TO THIS COMMUNITY. WE ARE TRAINING
COMMUNITY. WE ARE TRAINING YOUNG PEOPLE AT A EARLY YOUNG
YOUNG PEOPLE AT A EARLY YOUNG AGE TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO HIGHER
AGE TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO HIGHER EDUCATION AND DO GOOD THINGS FOR
EDUCATION AND DO GOOD THINGS FOR THIS COUNTRY.
THIS COUNTRY. TRAINING THAT THEY WOULD NOT
TRAINING THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE, BUT FOREHEAD START AND SO
HAVE, BUT FOREHEAD START AND SO WHEN I LOOK AT THE YOUNGSTERS
WHEN I LOOK AT THE YOUNGSTERS THAT ARE IN THE PROGRAM AND WHO
THAT ARE IN THE PROGRAM AND WHO GRADUATE FROM THE PROGRAM, THE
GRADUATE FROM THE PROGRAM, THE FUTURE BODES WELL FOR US AS FAR
FUTURE BODES WELL FOR US AS FAR AS THOSE YOUNGSTERS ARE
AS THOSE YOUNGSTERS ARE CONCERNED.
CONCERNED. WE ALL KNOW EDUCATION IS THE KEY
WE ALL KNOW EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO GET GOOD JOBS IN THIS
TO GET GOOD JOBS IN THIS COUNTRY, TO SURVIVING AND
COUNTRY, TO SURVIVING AND SERVING YOUR FAMILIES.
SERVING YOUR FAMILIES. SO WE TEACH THEM THE VALUE.
SO WE TEACH THEM THE VALUE. WHEN I SAY "WE," IN THE INTEREST
WHEN I SAY "WE," IN THE INTEREST OF FULL DISCLOSURE, I AM ALSO ON
OF FULL DISCLOSURE, I AM ALSO ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY.
COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY. BUT WE TRAIN THEM AT A VERY,
BUT WE TRAIN THEM AT A VERY, VERY EARLY AGE TO UNDERSTAND THE
VERY EARLY AGE TO UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF EDUCATION AND WHAT IT
VALUE OF EDUCATION AND WHAT IT IS GOING TO MEAN TO THEM AND
IS GOING TO MEAN TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE FUTURE.
THEIR FAMILIES IN THE FUTURE. LET'S CONTINUE THAT TO THE LATER
LET'S CONTINUE THAT TO THE LATER YEARS IN TERMS OF HIGH SCHOOL.
YEARS IN TERMS OF HIGH SCHOOL. SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS DON'T HAVE
SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS DON'T HAVE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AT ALL.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AT ALL. DISTRICT 150 IN PEORIA DOES HAVE
DISTRICT 150 IN PEORIA DOES HAVE SOME VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.
SOME VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. IS THAT HELPING IN YOUR STILL
IS THAT HELPING IN YOUR STILL MATION?
MATION? >> -- WILL THAT HELP IN YOUR HE
>> -- WILL THAT HELP IN YOUR HE IS TY MATION.
IS TY MATION. I TOOK A TOUR OF THE PROGRAM UP
I TOOK A TOUR OF THE PROGRAM UP IN WOODRUFF, AND WHILE THEY HAVE
IN WOODRUFF, AND WHILE THEY HAVE SOME CREATIVE -- SOME VERY GOOD
SOME CREATIVE -- SOME VERY GOOD FACILITIES UP THERE, WE HAVE
FACILITIES UP THERE, WE HAVE FACILITIES, WE ARE TRAINING A
FACILITIES, WE ARE TRAINING A LOT OF BARBERS AND A LOT OF
LOT OF BARBERS AND A LOT OF COSMETOLOGISTS.
COSMETOLOGISTS. THIS COMMUNITY PRACTICALLY IS
THIS COMMUNITY PRACTICALLY IS ALREADY OVER SATURATED WITH
ALREADY OVER SATURATED WITH THOSE KIND OF JOBS.
THOSE KIND OF JOBS. THE TRAINING FOR JOBS THAT I
THE TRAINING FOR JOBS THAT I THINK ARE NECESSARY, LIKE
THINK ARE NECESSARY, LIKE TRAINING FOR ELECTRICIANS AND
TRAINING FOR ELECTRICIANS AND PLUMBERS AND PLASTERERS AND THAT
PLUMBERS AND PLASTERERS AND THAT SORT OF THING, TO EITHER GET
SORT OF THING, TO EITHER GET INTO THE BUILDING TRADES -- THE
INTO THE BUILDING TRADES -- THE ROAD BUILDING TRADES OR HOME
ROAD BUILDING TRADES OR HOME BUILDING TRADES IS SEVERELY
BUILDING TRADES IS SEVERELY LACKING AS FAR AS I AM
LACKING AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.
CONCERNED. IT IS A GOOD START.
IT IS A GOOD START. BUT YOU KNOW, YEARS AGO IN THIS
BUT YOU KNOW, YEARS AGO IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE HAD THOSE
COMMUNITY, WE HAD THOSE PROGRAMS.
PROGRAMS. THEY USED TO HAVE A PROGRAM AT
THEY USED TO HAVE A PROGRAM AT CENTRAL WHERE YOUNGSTERS WERE
CENTRAL WHERE YOUNGSTERS WERE TRAINED WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL TO
TRAINED WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL TO BUILD HOUSES.
BUILD HOUSES. THEY WERE TRAINED TO BE
THEY WERE TRAINED TO BE PLUMBERS. THEY WERE TRAINED TO
PLUMBERS. THEY WERE TRAINED TO BE ELECTRICIANS.
BE ELECTRICIANS. THEY ACTUALLY BUILT THE HOUSES.
THEY ACTUALLY BUILT THE HOUSES. THEY HAD AUTOMOTIVE --
THEY HAD AUTOMOTIVE -- >>ON MAIN STREET.
>>ON MAIN STREET. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. PROGRAM AS WELL, AND THEY WERE
PROGRAM AS WELL, AND THEY WERE TAUGHT TO REPAIR THE CARS OF
TAUGHT TO REPAIR THE CARS OF THOSE TIMES.
THOSE TIMES. AT MANUAL, THEY HAD PRINTING.
AT MANUAL, THEY HAD PRINTING. IN FACT, LIN UNIS, A GOOD
IN FACT, LIN UNIS, A GOOD FRIEND, WENT THROUGH THE
FRIEND, WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAMS AT MANUAL.
PROGRAMS AT MANUAL. WHILE IT IS A GOOD START, I
WHILE IT IS A GOOD START, I DON'T THINK IT IS WHERE IT
DON'T THINK IT IS WHERE IT SHOULD BE.
SHOULD BE. >>WE TALK ABOUT WORK FORCE
>>WE TALK ABOUT WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT AND PEOPLE ARE
DEVELOPMENT AND PEOPLE ARE TRAINED FOR CERTAIN SKILLS, AND
TRAINED FOR CERTAIN SKILLS, AND THEN THOSE JOBS AREN'T THERE YET
THEN THOSE JOBS AREN'T THERE YET WE HEAR PEOPLE LIKE MR. PARSONS
WE HEAR PEOPLE LIKE MR. PARSONS AT EXCEL FOUNDRY, SOUTH OF
AT EXCEL FOUNDRY, SOUTH OF PEKIN, HE CAN'T FIND THE PROPER
PEKIN, HE CAN'T FIND THE PROPER CANDIDATES FOR JOBS AT HIS
CANDIDATES FOR JOBS AT HIS PLACE.
PLACE. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A
I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE BUSINESS
DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WORK FORCE, AND THE
COMMUNITY WORK FORCE, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SCHOOL DISTRICT. AND, HOPEFULLY NOW WITH THE
AND, HOPEFULLY NOW WITH THE INITIATIVE THAT CAME OUT OF THE
INITIATIVE THAT CAME OUT OF THE FOCUS FORWARD CENTRAL ILLINOIS,
FOCUS FORWARD CENTRAL ILLINOIS, THOSE ENTITIES HAVE BEEN
THOSE ENTITIES HAVE BEEN MEETING.
MEETING. THEY HAVE BEEN PLANNING.
THEY HAVE BEEN PLANNING. WORK FORCE NETWORK IS BEING
WORK FORCE NETWORK IS BEING REORGANIZED.
REORGANIZED. IT IS GOING TO BE ADMINISTERED
IT IS GOING TO BE ADMINISTERED FOR THE MOST PART BY ILLINOIS
FOR THE MOST PART BY ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE.
CENTRAL COLLEGE. I THINK YOU WILL SEE THE
I THINK YOU WILL SEE THE TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT COME OUT
TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT COME OUT OF OUR INITIATIVE GOING FORWARD
OF OUR INITIATIVE GOING FORWARD ARE GOING TO BE TAILORED TO MEET
ARE GOING TO BE TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE INDUSTRIES
THE NEEDS OF THOSE INDUSTRIES THAT ACTUALLY ARE LOOKING FOR
THAT ACTUALLY ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS.
INDIVIDUALS. >>IF I COULD ADD SOMETHING TO
>>IF I COULD ADD SOMETHING TO THAT.
THAT. I RECALL YEARS AGO, I WORK AT
I RECALL YEARS AGO, I WORK AT THE URBAN LEAGUE.
THE URBAN LEAGUE. I WAS THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR TO
I WAS THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR TO CREATE JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY.
CREATE JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY USED TO HAVE A PROGRAM -- I
THEY USED TO HAVE A PROGRAM -- I DON'T KNOW IT IF IT WAS UNDER C,
DON'T KNOW IT IF IT WAS UNDER C, BUT THEY ENCOURAGED EMPLOYERS TO
BUT THEY ENCOURAGED EMPLOYERS TO HIRE PEOPLE THAT NEEDED TO BE
HIRE PEOPLE THAT NEEDED TO BE TRAINED FOR THEIR PARTICULAR
TRAINED FOR THEIR PARTICULAR JOB.
JOB. AND THEN THE EMPLOYER WAS GIVEN
AND THEN THE EMPLOYER WAS GIVEN FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO DO THAT,
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO DO THAT, BRING PEOPLE IN, AND IF YOU
BRING PEOPLE IN, AND IF YOU NEEDED TO TRAIN THEM TO RUN A
NEEDED TO TRAIN THEM TO RUN A ROBOTIC MACHINE, YOU DID IT ON
ROBOTIC MACHINE, YOU DID IT ON THE JOB, AND THEY COULD PAY A
THE JOB, AND THEY COULD PAY A LOWER WAGE, AND THE GOVERNMENT
LOWER WAGE, AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SUBSIDIZE THAT WAGE.
WOULD SUBSIDIZE THAT WAGE. WE NEED TO GO BACK TO PROGRAMS
WE NEED TO GO BACK TO PROGRAMS LIKE THAT.
LIKE THAT. WHEN YOU GOT A MANUFACTURING
WHEN YOU GOT A MANUFACTURING FIRM LIKE THAT, THAT NEEDS
FIRM LIKE THAT, THAT NEEDS EMPLOYEES, AND WE GOT ALL THESE
EMPLOYEES, AND WE GOT ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT NEED JOBS, SOMEHOW
PEOPLE THAT NEED JOBS, SOMEHOW THE MARRIAGE HAS TO HAPPEN.
THE MARRIAGE HAS TO HAPPEN. AND THAT WAS A PROGRAM THAT
AND THAT WAS A PROGRAM THAT WOULD FIT WELL IN THAT
WOULD FIT WELL IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE TODAY.
CIRCUMSTANCE TODAY. >>LET'S STAY ON THE JOB
>>LET'S STAY ON THE JOB DISCUSSION, IN TERMS OF MINIMUM
DISCUSSION, IN TERMS OF MINIMUM WAGE.
WAGE. I BELIEVE THE STATE IS ONE
I BELIEVE THE STATE IS ONE DOLLAR OVER THE NATIONAL
DOLLAR OVER THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
AVERAGE. NATIONAL, McFARLAND, 7 AND A
NATIONAL, McFARLAND, 7 AND A QUARTER.
QUARTER. >>7.25.
>>7.25. >>NATIONAL 8.25.
>>NATIONAL 8.25. PRESIDENT RAISED IT TO $10.10.
PRESIDENT RAISED IT TO $10.10. WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON MOVING
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON MOVING MINIMUM WAGE TO $10.10 OR
MINIMUM WAGE TO $10.10 OR ANOTHER NUMBER IF YOU PREFER,
ANOTHER NUMBER IF YOU PREFER, AND SHOULD IT BE DONE
AND SHOULD IT BE DONE INCREMENTALLY?
INCREMENTALLY? SHOULD WE JUMP?
SHOULD WE JUMP? >> I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE
>> I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE TOWARD IT LIKE YESTERDAY.
TOWARD IT LIKE YESTERDAY. BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN AT EVEN IN
BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN AT EVEN IN ILLINOIS, WE HAVE BEEN AT 8.25
ILLINOIS, WE HAVE BEEN AT 8.25 THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS. IF WE JUST TAKE -- AND I WILL
IF WE JUST TAKE -- AND I WILL GIVE AN EXAMPLE.
GIVE AN EXAMPLE. USING THE 8.25 THAT IS MINIMUM
USING THE 8.25 THAT IS MINIMUM WAGE SALARY RIGHT NOW, A PERSON
WAGE SALARY RIGHT NOW, A PERSON WOULD HAVE TO WORK 66 HOURS A
WOULD HAVE TO WORK 66 HOURS A WEEK TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD A TWO
WEEK TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT AT FAIR MARKET
BEDROOM APARTMENT AT FAIR MARKET RATE IN PEORIA.
RATE IN PEORIA. 66 HOURS, THAT'S A BIT.
66 HOURS, THAT'S A BIT. >>I AGREE WITH McFARLAND. I
>>I AGREE WITH McFARLAND. I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS
THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TODAY.
TO HAPPEN TODAY. THIS IS NOT A FIGURE THAT WAS
THIS IS NOT A FIGURE THAT WAS JUST SNATCHED OUT OF THIN AIR.
JUST SNATCHED OUT OF THIN AIR. AT $10.10 AN HOUR, IT JUST PUTS
AT $10.10 AN HOUR, IT JUST PUTS INDIVIDUALS ABOVE, SLIGHTLY
INDIVIDUALS ABOVE, SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE TODAY.
ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE TODAY. WE ARE NOT BESTOWING UPON THEM,
WE ARE NOT BESTOWING UPON THEM, YOU KNOW, WEALTH THAT WILL ALLOW
YOU KNOW, WEALTH THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO TAKE A SUMMER VACATIONS
THEM TO TAKE A SUMMER VACATIONS WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND THAT
WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND THAT SORT OF THING OR GET INTO THAT
SORT OF THING OR GET INTO THAT 1% CATEGORY.
1% CATEGORY. THIS IS ENOUGH FOR THEM TO JUST
THIS IS ENOUGH FOR THEM TO JUST GET ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE.
GET ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE. WHAT ALSO HAS TO HAPPEN, AS I
WHAT ALSO HAS TO HAPPEN, AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, IS THAT IT
HAVE SAID BEFORE, IS THAT IT NEEDS TO BE INDEXED SO THAT FIVE
NEEDS TO BE INDEXED SO THAT FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, WE ARE NOT
YEARS FROM NOW, WE ARE NOT HAVING THIS SAME DISCUSSION.
HAVING THIS SAME DISCUSSION. IN OTHER WORDS, GRADUAL
IN OTHER WORDS, GRADUAL INCREASES BASED ON THE CONSUMER
INCREASES BASED ON THE CONSUMER PRICE, I DON'T CARE HOW IT IS
PRICE, I DON'T CARE HOW IT IS INDEXED, SO LONG AS IT IS
INDEXED, SO LONG AS IT IS INDEXED SO THAT IT INCREASES,
INDEXED SO THAT IT INCREASES, AND WE KEEP PEOPLE ABOVE THE
AND WE KEEP PEOPLE ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE.
POVERTY LINE. WHAT DOES THAT DO?
WHAT DOES THAT DO? WELL, IT BENEFITS THE WHOLE
WELL, IT BENEFITS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY BECAUSE PEOPLE FINALLY
COMMUNITY BECAUSE PEOPLE FINALLY HAVE NOT ONLY ENOUGH TO PUT FOOD
HAVE NOT ONLY ENOUGH TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE, NOT ONLY ENOUGH TO
ON THE TABLE, NOT ONLY ENOUGH TO PAY THEIR RENT, OR PAY THEIR
PAY THEIR RENT, OR PAY THEIR MORTGAGE, BUT IT ALSO GIVES THEM
MORTGAGE, BUT IT ALSO GIVES THEM A LITTLE BIT OF EXCESS INCOME
A LITTLE BIT OF EXCESS INCOME THAT THEY WILL SPEND IN THE
THAT THEY WILL SPEND IN THE COMMUNITY.
COMMUNITY. THEY WILL SPEND THE FULL $10.10.
THEY WILL SPEND THE FULL $10.10. THAT WILL, M NI JUDGMENT,
THAT WILL, M NI JUDGMENT, BENEFIT THE REST OF THE ECONOMY.
BENEFIT THE REST OF THE ECONOMY. THEY WILL GO TO MERCHANTS AND
THEY WILL GO TO MERCHANTS AND BUY SHOES FOR THEIR KIDS OR BUY
BUY SHOES FOR THEIR KIDS OR BUY SOME NEW JEANNES AND THAT SORT
SOME NEW JEANNES AND THAT SORT OF THING. SO TO ME, IT HAS
OF THING. SO TO ME, IT HAS NOTHING BUT A POSITIVE EFFECT.
NOTHING BUT A POSITIVE EFFECT. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE
I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE RELUCTANCE OF OUR POLITICIANS IN
RELUCTANCE OF OUR POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON TO RAISE IT.
WASHINGTON TO RAISE IT. >>WHAT ABOUT THE ARGUMENT THAT
>>WHAT ABOUT THE ARGUMENT THAT THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, THE
THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, THE PERSON WHO OWNS A FAST FOOD
PERSON WHO OWNS A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT, WHAT HAVE YOU, SAYS
RESTAURANT, WHAT HAVE YOU, SAYS "WELL, I AM JUST GOING TO EMPLOY
"WELL, I AM JUST GOING TO EMPLOY FEWER PEOPLE.
FEWER PEOPLE. I WILL PAY THE $10.10, BUT I
I WILL PAY THE $10.10, BUT I WILL HAVE FIGURE OUT HOW TO
WILL HAVE FIGURE OUT HOW TO MANAGE MY STORE, MY OPERATION
MANAGE MY STORE, MY OPERATION WITH FEWER EMPLOYEES."
WITH FEWER EMPLOYEES." >>I THINK REALISTICALLY, HE OR
>>I THINK REALISTICALLY, HE OR SHE MAY DO THAT FOR A MINUTE,
SHE MAY DO THAT FOR A MINUTE, BUT I THINK WHEN THEY DO THE
BUT I THINK WHEN THEY DO THE ANALYSIS, THEY WILL END UP
ANALYSIS, THEY WILL END UP LOSING MONEY BECAUSE THERE IS
LOSING MONEY BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY SO MANY HOURS OF THE DAY,
ONLY SO MANY HOURS OF THE DAY, AND ONE PERSON CAN'T DO THE JOB
AND ONE PERSON CAN'T DO THE JOB THAT THREE PEOPLE HAD BEEN DOING
THAT THREE PEOPLE HAD BEEN DOING PREVIOUSLY.
PREVIOUSLY. SO THAT WILL CHANGE.
SO THAT WILL CHANGE. AND KIND OF FOLLOWING UP ON
AND KIND OF FOLLOWING UP ON DON'S POINT, RAISING THE MINIMUM
DON'S POINT, RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO 10.10 WOULD PROVIDE
WAGE TO 10.10 WOULD PROVIDE ANNUAL SALARY OF ONE INDIVIDUAL
ANNUAL SALARY OF ONE INDIVIDUAL ABOUT $20,000 IN PEORIA.
ABOUT $20,000 IN PEORIA. THE MEDIAN INCOME IN PEORIA IS
THE MEDIAN INCOME IN PEORIA IS $47,000.
$47,000. SO THERE IS STILL $27,000 UNDER
SO THERE IS STILL $27,000 UNDER WHAT IT TAKES TO LIVE IN PEORIA.
WHAT IT TAKES TO LIVE IN PEORIA. >>AND NOT ONLY THAT, THAT
>>AND NOT ONLY THAT, THAT ARGUMENT IS USED OVER AND OVER
ARGUMENT IS USED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, BUT IT IS NOT
AND OVER AGAIN, BUT IT IS NOT FACTUALLY BACKED UP.
FACTUALLY BACKED UP. NOT ONE PERSON HAS COME FORWARD
NOT ONE PERSON HAS COME FORWARD TO SHOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A
TO SHOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DECREASE IN JOBS AS A RESULT OF
DECREASE IN JOBS AS A RESULT OF RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE
RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE HISTORICALLY.
HISTORICALLY. IN FACT, THOSE WHO FAVOR AN
IN FACT, THOSE WHO FAVOR AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE,
INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE, SOME TO $12 AN HOUR, IT IMPROVES
SOME TO $12 AN HOUR, IT IMPROVES THE ECONOMY WHICH MEANS THERE
THE ECONOMY WHICH MEANS THERE ARE MORE JOBS FOR PEOPLE.
ARE MORE JOBS FOR PEOPLE. IN FACT, SOME OF THE -- PERHAPS
IN FACT, SOME OF THE -- PERHAPS IF WE CREATE MORE JOBS, SOME OF
IF WE CREATE MORE JOBS, SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE FROM THE
THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE FROM THE MIDDLE CLASS THAT USED TO HAVE
MIDDLE CLASS THAT USED TO HAVE GOOD JOBS WOULD MOVE OUT OF THE
GOOD JOBS WOULD MOVE OUT OF THE RESTAURANT JOBS AND OPEN THOSE
RESTAURANT JOBS AND OPEN THOSE JOBS UP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO
JOBS UP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO OPERATE.
OPERATE. SO THERE ARE JUST NO FACTS TO
SO THERE ARE JUST NO FACTS TO SUPPORT THAT CONCLUSION THAT
SUPPORT THAT CONCLUSION THAT HAVE EVER BEEN PRESENTED AS FAR
HAVE EVER BEEN PRESENTED AS FAR AS I KNOW.
AS I KNOW. >>FOR PERSPECTIVE, THE POVERTY
>>FOR PERSPECTIVE, THE POVERTY LEVEL FOR FAMILY OF FOUR
LEVEL FOR FAMILY OF FOUR NATIONALLY SPEAKING, IS $23,550
NATIONALLY SPEAKING, IS $23,550 CURRENTLY.
CURRENTLY. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROGRESSION
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROGRESSION OF THE ACT.
OF THE ACT. WE STARTED THE CONVERSATION WITH
WE STARTED THE CONVERSATION WITH THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF
THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF '64.
'64. THEN IN 1973, I BELIEVE,
THEN IN 1973, I BELIEVE, PRESIDENT NIXON SIGNED
PRESIDENT NIXON SIGNED LEGISLATION THAT ELIMINATED THE
LEGISLATION THAT ELIMINATED THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY WHICH HAD OVERSEEN MANY OF THOSE
WHICH HAD OVERSEEN MANY OF THOSE PROGRAMS.
PROGRAMS. NOW MANY OF THE PROGRAMS WERE
NOW MANY OF THE PROGRAMS WERE MAINTAINED, BUT UNDER DIFFERENT
MAINTAINED, BUT UNDER DIFFERENT AGENCIES.
AGENCIES. THERE WAS A CHANGE THERE.
THERE WAS A CHANGE THERE. THEN IN 1996, PRESIDENT CLINTON
THEN IN 1996, PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNED THE WORK RESPONSIBILITY
SIGNED THE WORK RESPONSIBILITY AND JOB OPPORTUNITY ACT WHICH
AND JOB OPPORTUNITY ACT WHICH BASICALLY CHANGED THE CONCEPT OF
BASICALLY CHANGED THE CONCEPT OF WELFARE.
WELFARE. I BELIEVE IT WAS SOMETHING TO
I BELIEVE IT WAS SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF THIS HAS CHANGED
THE EFFECT OF THIS HAS CHANGED WELFARE AS WE KNOW IT.
WELFARE AS WE KNOW IT. LOOKING BACK OVER THAT PERIOD OF
LOOKING BACK OVER THAT PERIOD OF TIME, WITH THE NIXON CHANGES,
TIME, WITH THE NIXON CHANGES, WITH THE CLINTON CHANGES, HAS
WITH THE CLINTON CHANGES, HAS THAT BEEN A GOOD THING, A BAD
THAT BEEN A GOOD THING, A BAD THING?
THING? A NEUTRAL?
A NEUTRAL? >> I DON'T KNOW, I HAVEN'T
>> I DON'T KNOW, I HAVEN'T STUDIED IT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU
STUDIED IT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THIS, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT IT
THIS, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT IT FROM ONE FAVORABLE STANDPOINT,
FROM ONE FAVORABLE STANDPOINT, THERE IS NO QUESTION THERE WERE
THERE IS NO QUESTION THERE WERE PROBABLY PEOPLE ON WELFARE AT
PROBABLY PEOPLE ON WELFARE AT THAT TIME WHO WERE WEEDED OUT AS
THAT TIME WHO WERE WEEDED OUT AS A RESULT OF THE WELFARE TO WORK
A RESULT OF THE WELFARE TO WORK ASPECT OF THAT LEGISLATION.
ASPECT OF THAT LEGISLATION. I THINK THAT WAS A GOOD THING.
I THINK THAT WAS A GOOD THING. BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, LOOKING
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, LOOKING IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, UNTIL WE
IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, UNTIL WE EXPAND THE JOBS THAT ARE
EXPAND THE JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE, I DON'T
AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE ARE HELPING THE
KNOW THAT WE ARE HELPING THE SITUATION AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
SITUATION AS MUCH AS WE CAN. WE NEED A JOBS PROGRAM IN THIS
WE NEED A JOBS PROGRAM IN THIS COUNTRY SO BAD THAT IT IS JUST
COUNTRY SO BAD THAT IT IS JUST MIND BOGGLING TO LISTEN TO OUR
MIND BOGGLING TO LISTEN TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES, OUR ELECTED
REPRESENTATIVES, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY
OFFICIALS TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE NOT DOING.
ARE NOT DOING. AND THAT IS CREATING JOBS
AND THAT IS CREATING JOBS PROGRAM.
PROGRAM. SINCE THIS ADMINISTRATION CAME
SINCE THIS ADMINISTRATION CAME IN OFFICE IN 2009, WE HAVE NOT
IN OFFICE IN 2009, WE HAVE NOT HAD A JOBS PROGRAM TO BENEFIT
HAD A JOBS PROGRAM TO BENEFIT THIS COUNTRY.
THIS COUNTRY. OUR ROADS ARE IN TERRIBLE SHAPE.
OUR ROADS ARE IN TERRIBLE SHAPE. OUR BRIDGES ARE IN TERRIBLE
OUR BRIDGES ARE IN TERRIBLE SHAPES.
SHAPES. OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IN EVERY CITY
OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IN EVERY CITY IS IN TERRIBLE SHAPE.
IS IN TERRIBLE SHAPE. WE COULD PUT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE
WE COULD PUT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO WORK IF WE WOULD JUST COME UP
TO WORK IF WE WOULD JUST COME UP WITH A JOBS PROGRAM IN THIS
WITH A JOBS PROGRAM IN THIS COUNTRY.
COUNTRY. AND THEN SOME OF THIS POVERTY,
AND THEN SOME OF THIS POVERTY, PUT SOME OF THE POVERTY ISSUES
PUT SOME OF THE POVERTY ISSUES IN MY JUDGMENT WILL TAKE CARE OF
IN MY JUDGMENT WILL TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
THEMSELVES. >>DOES TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMIC, WE
>>DOES TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMIC, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT 30 YEARS,
HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT 30 YEARS, AS I RECALL.
AS I RECALL. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. >>HAS THAT HAD AN IMPACT IN
>>HAS THAT HAD AN IMPACT IN TERMS OF -- DON HAS BEEN TALKING
TERMS OF -- DON HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT CREATING JOBS.
ABOUT CREATING JOBS. DOES IT CREATE JOBS THIS YOUR
DOES IT CREATE JOBS THIS YOUR OPINION?
OPINION? >> IN MY OPINION, IT HASN'T DONE
>> IN MY OPINION, IT HASN'T DONE THAT.
THAT. IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT, YOU KNOW,
IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, THE COMPANIES THAT HAVE
THE COMPANIES THAT HAVE DOWNSIZED AND SHIFT THEIR
DOWNSIZED AND SHIFT THEIR OPERATIONS TO MEXICO, TO
OPERATIONS TO MEXICO, TO JAPAN -- NOT JAPAN, TO CHINA, OR
JAPAN -- NOT JAPAN, TO CHINA, OR WHERE THEY ARE PAYING PEOPLE,
WHERE THEY ARE PAYING PEOPLE, MAYBE TWO DOLLARS AN HOUR, IF
MAYBE TWO DOLLARS AN HOUR, IF THAT, IT HASN'T TRICKLED DOWN.
THAT, IT HASN'T TRICKLED DOWN. AND THE FOCUS HAS BEEN SO MUCH
AND THE FOCUS HAS BEEN SO MUCH ON CREATING WEALTH FOR A SMALL
ON CREATING WEALTH FOR A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS.
PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS. IT MAY HAVE TRICKLED DOWN FOR
IT MAY HAVE TRICKLED DOWN FOR THOSE 85, BUT FOR THE REST OF
THOSE 85, BUT FOR THE REST OF US, IT HAS NOT DONE THAT.
US, IT HAS NOT DONE THAT. >>YOU KNOW, THE THING THAT HAS
>>YOU KNOW, THE THING THAT HAS ALWAYS TROUBLED ME ABOUT WHAT
ALWAYS TROUBLED ME ABOUT WHAT MAC JUST SAID, IS THE OFFSHORING
MAC JUST SAID, IS THE OFFSHORING OF JOBS, IF WE DON'T HAVE JOBS
OF JOBS, IF WE DON'T HAVE JOBS IN THIS COUNTRY, WHO IS GOING TO
IN THIS COUNTRY, WHO IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUY THE PRODUCTS THAT
BE ABLE TO BUY THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE BEING OFFSHORED TO CHINA AND
ARE BEING OFFSHORED TO CHINA AND PLACES LIKE THAT?
PLACES LIKE THAT? THEY CAN BRING THEM BACK INTO
THEY CAN BRING THEM BACK INTO THIS COUNTRY, BUT WHO IS GOING
THIS COUNTRY, BUT WHO IS GOING TO HAVE THE INCOME, THE ABILITY
TO HAVE THE INCOME, THE ABILITY TO BUY THOSE PRODUCTS IN THIS
TO BUY THOSE PRODUCTS IN THIS COUNTRY?
COUNTRY? TO ME, IT IS LIKE SHOOTING
TO ME, IT IS LIKE SHOOTING YOURSELF IN THE FOOT WHEN YOU
YOURSELF IN THE FOOT WHEN YOU DO -- WHEN MANUFACTURING
DO -- WHEN MANUFACTURING ENTITIES DO THOSE KINDS OF
ENTITIES DO THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
THINGS. >>SOME THINGS -- EVERYTHING IS
>>SOME THINGS -- EVERYTHING IS DYNAMIC.
DYNAMIC. IT IS ALWAYS CHANGING.
IT IS ALWAYS CHANGING. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PROGRAMS
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED IN '64 AND '65,
ESTABLISHED IN '64 AND '65, THOSE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY
THOSE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY OTHER EVENTS THAT OCCURRED. FOR
OTHER EVENTS THAT OCCURRED. FOR INSTANCE, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
INSTANCE, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE IS UP SINCE 1964, A GOOD
RATE IS UP SINCE 1964, A GOOD THING.
THING. MORE WOMEN ARE WORKING THAN IN
MORE WOMEN ARE WORKING THAN IN 1964.
1964. FAMILIES ARE SMALLER WHICH I
FAMILIES ARE SMALLER WHICH I SUPPOSE IN ONE WAY IS GOOD IN
SUPPOSE IN ONE WAY IS GOOD IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR A
TERMS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR A FAMILY.
FAMILY. SO I GUESS MY THOUGHT IS THERE
SO I GUESS MY THOUGHT IS THERE ISN'T A SINGLE BULLET APPROACH
ISN'T A SINGLE BULLET APPROACH THAT WILL WORK IN TRYING TO FIX
THAT WILL WORK IN TRYING TO FIX THIS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
THIS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. SHOULD BE FLUID IN THE WAY WE
SHOULD BE FLUID IN THE WAY WE ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.
ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. UH-HUH.
UH-HUH. I THINK A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF
I THINK A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THAT IS THE CHANGES THAT HAVE
THAT IS THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH RESPECT TO SERVICE
OCCURRED WITH RESPECT TO SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE HEAD START
DELIVERY IN THE HEAD START PROGRAM.
PROGRAM. ONE OF THE BEAUTIES OF THE HEAD
ONE OF THE BEAUTIES OF THE HEAD START PROGRAM IS ITS
START PROGRAM IS ITS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES IN TERMS
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES IN TERMS OF SERVING THE ENTIRE FAMILY.
OF SERVING THE ENTIRE FAMILY. BUT WE NOW HAVE SPECIFIC
BUT WE NOW HAVE SPECIFIC OUTCOMES THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO
OUTCOMES THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO DOCUMENT.
DOCUMENT. WE HAVE AN EVIDENCE BASED
WE HAVE AN EVIDENCE BASED CURRICULUM THAT WE ARE WORKING
CURRICULUM THAT WE ARE WORKING ON.
ON. WE DO ASSESSMENTS OF OUR KIDS
WE DO ASSESSMENTS OF OUR KIDS THREE TIMES A YEAR.
THREE TIMES A YEAR. WE ACTUALLY AGGRAVATE THAT DATA
WE ACTUALLY AGGRAVATE THAT DATA TO BE ABLE TO BETTER ARTICULATE,
TO BE ABLE TO BETTER ARTICULATE, THAT KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, THIS
THAT KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, THIS IS -- THESE ARE JOHNNY'S
IS -- THESE ARE JOHNNY'S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN 11
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN 11 DIFFERENT DOMAINS.
DIFFERENT DOMAINS. OUR CURRICULUM AND OUR OUTCOMES
OUR CURRICULUM AND OUR OUTCOMES WITH TIED TO THE STATE'S EARLY
WITH TIED TO THE STATE'S EARLY LEARNING OUTCOMES TIED TO THE
LEARNING OUTCOMES TIED TO THE DISTRICT'S EARLY LEARNING
DISTRICT'S EARLY LEARNING OUTCOMES, AND NOW WITH THIS NEW
OUTCOMES, AND NOW WITH THIS NEW COMMON CORE STANDARDS OF
COMMON CORE STANDARDS OF EDUCATION, WE ARE REQUIRED TO
EDUCATION, WE ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THOSE OUTCOMES
MAKE SURE ALL OF THOSE OUTCOMES ARE ALIGNED.
ARE ALIGNED. WE ALSO NOW HAVE PARENT, AND
WE ALSO NOW HAVE PARENT, AND FAMILY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
FAMILY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OUTCOME.
OUTCOME. WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THAT
WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL FAMILY TO FIND OUT
INDIVIDUAL FAMILY TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR GOALS ARE AND HELP
WHAT THEIR GOALS ARE AND HELP THEM MOVE O TOWARD THAT.
THEM MOVE O TOWARD THAT. >>WITH THAT, WE WILL HAVE TO CON
>>WITH THAT, WE WILL HAVE TO CON TINT CONVERSATION AFTER THE
TINT CONVERSATION AFTER THE CAMERAS TAKE A LITTLE SIESTA
CAMERAS TAKE A LITTLE SIESTA BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF TIME.
BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF TIME. DON JACKSON, N.A.A.C.P.
DON JACKSON, N.A.A.C.P. PRESIDENT.
PRESIDENT. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. >>MY PLEASURE.
>>MY PLEASURE. >>McFARLAND BRAGG, PRESIDENT
>>McFARLAND BRAGG, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.
AND C.E.O. PCCEO.
PCCEO. WE A TEMPT TO HAVE DEBORAH
WE A TEMPT TO HAVE DEBORAH WHITE, FROM MID CENTRAL
WHITE, FROM MID CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTION.
COMMUNITY ACTION. WE HOPE SHE IS SAFE AND SOUND.
WE HOPE SHE IS SAFE AND SOUND. IN 2012, $916 BILLION SPENT ON
IN 2012, $916 BILLION SPENT ON POVERTY, ABOUT 100 MILLION
POVERTY, ABOUT 100 MILLION PEOPLE IN AMERICA WHO ARE BEN
PEOPLE IN AMERICA WHO ARE BEN RICH PHYSICAL OF THOSE DOLLARS.
RICH PHYSICAL OF THOSE DOLLARS. WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK FOR
WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF "AT ISSUE."
ANOTHER EDITION OF "AT ISSUE." PLEASE JOIN US THEN.>>