Philadelphia – May 30, 2019 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) was joined by State Senator Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland), and Public Policy Advocate of Just Harvest Ann Sanders on the fourth stop of his statewide poverty tour in McKeesport 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 four of the five stops on his tour this week with his most recent stops in Erie yesterday and McKeesport today.
“Dr. King said, there is nothing new about poverty. What is new, however, is that we have the resources to get rid of it,” said Senator Haywood.
“The listening sessions will produce testimony that will help guide legislation and community initiatives in an attempt to aid more families in crisis.” said Senator Brewster.
“All the different perspectives of the state programs have been talked about,” said Sanders. “It’s not just one voice, it’s state agencies and people who have lived through poverty, they are the real experts.”
The final stop on the Poverty Listening Tour will be in the Northeast region of the Commonwealth with a date forthcoming. Following the listening tour, a report of the findings will be compiled and shared with the public.
“Before Senators make decisions that may change someone’s life, we need to try and understand them,” said Senator Haywood. “I am thankful to all the speakers I have heard on the tour thus far for their courage, it will make a difference.”
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