Kauffman works to improve lives of working families

OLYMPIA – One-third of American families have no net worth or are in debt. A quarter of families are asset poor, meaning they lack the resources to live at the federal poverty level for more than three months if they lost their incomes.

Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent, met with colleagues from 11 other states in Denver this week to brainstorm ways to improve the lives of working families. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) hosted the event.

“Working families are the backbone of America,” Kauffman said. “It’s vital for policymakers to work with businesses, schools and community organizations to help them succeed.”

She attended sessions about asset building, small business development, financial education and building a 21st-century work force.

Lawmakers heard from a variety of experts on issues including how schools integrate work placement into academic programs and how low-income working families pay more for everyday goods than other households.

Legislators from Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Washington and Virginia attended the meeting, which was June 11 and June 12. Representatives from Native American and Black Caucuses of State Legislators, and the Women’s Legislative Network participated.

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that provides research and assistance to legislators and staffs in the states, commonwealths and territories.

Return to Sen. Kauffman's home page