Number
031336
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. MURPHY, SANCHEZ, WITKOWSKI, PRATT, NARDELLI, JOHNSON-ODOM
Title
Resolution expressing Common Council support for the city's application to the National League of Cities, Institute for Youth, Education, and Families for participation in the Helping Working Families: Municipal Leadership to Improve Access to Key Benefits Project.
Analysis
This resolution expresses Common Council support for the city's application to the National League of Cities (NLC), Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute) for participation in the Helping Working Families: Municipal Leadership to Improve Access to Key Benefits Project. The YEF Institute has invited NLC member cities with populations larger than 100,000 to apply to be considered for participation in the Helping Working Families Project, which is a 10-month technical assistance effort involving a group of up to 5 selected cities to assist municipal leaders who are interested in helping low- and moderate-income working families by promoting access to key state and federal means-tested benefits.
Body
Whereas, The National League of Cities (NLC) is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States, and has as its mission to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance; and
Whereas, In recognition of the unique and influential roles that mayors, city council members, and other local leaders can play in strengthening families and improving outcomes for children and youth, the NLC established in January, 2000, the Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute); and
Whereas, The YEF Institute invites NLC member cities with populations larger than 100,000 to apply to be considered for participation in the Helping Working Families: Municipal Leadership to Improve Access to Key Benefits Project; and
Whereas, The purpose of the Helping Working Families Project is to assist municipal leaders who are interested in helping low- and moderate-income working families by promoting access to key state and federal means-tested benefits; and
Whereas, The project will focus on cities that are interested in promoting several benefits at once, known as multi-benefit outreach, and will have as its centerpiece a 10-month technical assistance effort involving a group of up to 5 selected cities; and
Whereas, Because many low- and moderate-income working families are not aware of, or not taking advantage of, benefits that could help them meet basic needs, the centerpiece of the project will help municipal leaders design a multi-benefit outreach initiative or build on existing efforts to create a more comprehensive outreach campaign; and
Whereas, The successful promotion of outreach and enrollment campaigns can help eligible families make use of federal and state means-tested benefits, such as Earned Income Tax Credits, the federal Food Stamp Program, free or low-cost health insurance, Dependent Care Tax Credits, child care vouchers and the federally-funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program; and
Whereas, In addition to making a critical difference in helping families make ends meet, the successful promotion of outreach and enrollment campaigns can help bring millions of federal and state dollars into the community, thereby strengthening neighborhoods, assisting small businesses and spurring local economic development; and
Whereas, A recent report from the Census Bureau indicated that the City of Milwaukee had 124,865 people living under the federal poverty income level in 2002, which is a 14.3% increase from 2001, and represents approximately 22% of city residents; and
Whereas, According to the report, Milwaukee now ranks 12th among major U.S. cities with the highest percentage of people living below the poverty level, which is up from 17th place in 2001; and
Whereas, Census Bureau figures indicate that the 2002 median household income in the City of Milwaukee has decreased 6% from 2001 to $32,447, and now ranks 53rd among the 66th largest U.S. cities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council expresses its support for the city's application to the National League of Cities, Institute for Youth, Education, and Families for participation in the Helping Working Families: Municipal Leadership to Improve Access to Key Benefits Project; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk is directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the National League of Cities, Institute for Youth, Education, and Families.
Drafter
LRB04014-1
RGP
1/14/04