PHILADELPHIA – May 24, 2019 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) was joined by State Senator Katie Muth (D-Berks/Chester/Montgomery), State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and PA Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller on the second stop of his statewide poverty tour in Philadelphia today. The 5-stop tour will consist of elected officials hearing the effects of poverty across Pennsylvania—the first tour of its kind to happen in the State Senate in recent history.
Senator Haywood has completed two of the five stops on his tour this week with his first stop in the Central region of PA in Lock Haven yesterday.
“Before Senators make decisions that may change someone’s life, we need to try and understand them,” said Senator Haywood.
“Poverty and economic insecurity are serious issues for residents across the state, and are not contained to one or two areas,” said Senator Muth. “As elected officials, it is our job to help members of our communities who are struggling, and I think this tour is an excellent resource for us to learn what more we can do.”
“We have to continue to examine and find solutions to poverty and economic insecurity across the commonwealth,” Sen. Hughes said. “I am grateful to Senator Haywood for taking up these efforts and showing we in the Senate Democratic Caucus are continuing the fight for the people.”
“The Department of Human Services is committed to helping people we serve achieve a better life out of poverty,” said Human Services Secretary Miller. “We cannot achieve this goal without understanding our clients’ needs. These listening sessions have provided invaluable insight into how we can better serve Pennsylvanians facing difficult economic circumstances.”
The next stop on the Poverty Listening Tour will be in the Northwest region of the Commonwealth on Wednesday, May 29 in Erie. Following the listening tour, a report of the findings will be compiled and shared with the public.
###