During the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition’s annual day on Capitol Hill on legislation and cuts, the coalition expressed a desire to prevent another big state budget shortfall. JRLC focused on the need to develop a poverty impact statement to measure whether major legislation would increase or decrease the number of Minnesotans in poverty.

The Minnesota Half in Ten coalition has been very active the past month, holding several events and educating hundreds of Minnesotans on the Half in Ten campaign and our shared policy priorities. The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition just last week held a Day on the Hill at the Minnesota state capitol.

Colorado coalition members agree to incorporate current actions and advocacy efforts into a broader campaign to cut poverty in half in the next decade, develop a plan to reach even more community leaders with the coalition’s antipoverty message, and reframe poverty by talking about how many issues intersect.

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Family is in full electoral advocacy mode this spring. The message of cutting poverty in half by 2020 is receiving resounding affirmation throughout the state, individuals are signing the Half in Ten pledge, and there is a plan on the horizon to tell the story to a widespread audience.

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families is excited to be part of the Half in Ten family.

The Minnesota Half in Ten Coalition - composed of Affirmative Options Coalition, the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, and a Minnesota Without Poverty - is already planning several events to build out the movement to cut poverty in half in ten years.

Legislators spoke about policies they are pushing to improve the economic self-sufficiency of women, including healthcare, child care assistance, early childhood education, family friendly workplace policies, and addressing the impacts of the current budget crisis facing Colorado.

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families will launch a plan to educate policymakers, service providers and the public on the importance of knowing the facts about poverty and how we can work together to reduce it. AACF is also creating a tool to educate policymakers and community leaders about the day-to-day realities of the lives of the impoverished.

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families has teamed up with the Half in Ten campaign to lead efforts in reducing poverty in our state.

The Colorado chapter of 9to5, National Association of Working Women, is partnering with the Half in Ten campaign to raise awareness of poverty in Colorado and the policy solutions that can help us ensure economic security and opportunity for all.