MINUTES OF THE MARCH 25, 2008 MEETING
MCSSA STANDARD OF LIVING/HOUSING/EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
MCSSA
Those in attendance County
District
Brian Marcotte DLEG
Via Conference Call County District
Lynn Flynn Kent IV
Nancy Marshall Kent IV
I. Meeting
Called to Order at
II. Disposition
of Minutes of
A. Agenda Update
Addition of bills.
III. Reports
A. DLEG – Brian Marcotte
Some things have been completed that he talked about at the last meeting. DLEG policies have been aligned with the boilerplate language. Additional language has been added to call for 50% of those served being placed in at least $8.50 per hour jobs.
Brian reported on DHS bridges staff and implementation. Work is ongoing. He said they do see progress, but not as fast as some would want. It is a gigantic undertaking. It will happen and when it is implemented it will definitely benefit everybody.
He reported that he was involved with a couple of work groups on meeting participation rates. They are working with the data warehouse people to best increase participation rates.
He doesn’t have the current participation rate, but as of 2008 it has increased and is looking good so far, although it is not 50%. 30.47% was the rate for January.
IV. New
Business
A. Legislative Priorities
Will start working on next year’s conference.
B. SBs 1046 & 1047
Tie-barred. ST 1046 creates the low-income energy account program. SB 1047 provides for contributions into low-income energy efficiency accounts. These bills would allow for establishing an account that would be matched dollar for dollar by the state for clients for insulating windows and using other energy efficient related products. An individual or family would need to be at 200% of poverty level to be eligible. We can safely assume that few would take advantage of the opportunity. The matching funds do provide an incentive however. Nancy Marshall moved to support. Supported. Motion carried.
C. HB 5593
Establishes written utility shut-off notification method and an increase in notification time of shut-off notice. Lynn Flynn made the motion to support. Seconded. Motion carried.
D. HB 5623 & 5653
Eliminates collection of sales tax on home heating fuels. Nancy Marshall moved to support. Seconded. Motion carried.
V. Legislative
Update –
The governor has proposed an increase across the board of $3.00 per person in the household. The governor has also recommended a clothing allowance increase from $43 to $75. Representative Spade recommended a raise to $100.
There are some lawmakers who want to include some kind of accountability with the clothing allowance to be sure adults aren’t buying cigarettes or alcohol with the grants. Our clients don’t necessarily shop retail; they stretch dollars by shopping at secondhand stores such as Goodwill, yard sales, etc. If we limit the clothing allowance to a gift card or voucher, then we defeat the purpose by forcing them to buy retail.
V. Next
Meeting Date is April 22 at
VI. Meeting
Adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Jamie M. Cripe
STANDARD OF
LIVING/HOUSING/EMPLOYMENT programs
COMMITTEE
MEETING OF
AGENDA
I.
Call to order at
II.
Disposition of the minutes of
A. Agenda
update
III.
Reports
A. Brian
Marcotte – DLEG
B. Pam
Hartenburg – DHS
IV.
Unfinished Business
A. Legislative Priorities
V.
New Business
A.
Legislation
1.
VI. Adjournment