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Richard Piatt ReportingThere's a renewed effort to fight poverty in Utah that involves investing in the future.
It sounds so basic – saving, not spending money. But it's harder than it sounds for low-income people in Utah. They're talking about a solution to that at this 'Poverty Conference' at the 'U'.
Utah Issues holds this conference every year to help find answers, not just talk about problems for poor people. A pilot program is in the works called 'Individual Development Accounts'. It would offer a 3-to-1 match on savings accounts and offer classes on financial literacy. All this would help get people out of the financial hold many find themselves in money-wise.
Martha Wunderli, Utah Issues: "We have to make it ok for someone to say, ‘You know what, I've overextended my budget, I can't do that.’ We need to make it ok for someone to follow a budget and to have a budget."
Individual Development Accounts are just an idea right now. The program will need funding.
The issue of poverty is one the Candidates are taking on: Today the candidates for Governor addressed the group to let them know where they stand when on issues related to low-income Utahns. They're taking on tough issues that affect a lot of people in this state, trying to hold the future decision makers accountable.
