MAKING ENDS MEET:
Enhancing Economic Security, Fostering Shared Prosperity
Friday, February 19, 2016
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Grappone Conference Center
Concord, NH
It has now been more than six years since the end of the national recession, yet many Granite Staters continue to struggle to make ends meet.
Income for the typical New Hampshire household, after adjusting for inflation, remains less today than it was in 2007. Hourly pay for much of the bottom half of the wage distribution is still lower now – again, after adjusting for inflation – than it was, not just in 2007, but in 2001 as well.
At the same time, New Hampshire continues to exhibit one of the higher costs of living in the nation, leaving many working families to face a substantial gap between what they earn and what they must spend on essentials – from housing and groceries to health care and child care.
NHFPI's 3rd annual policy conference will examine what it really takes to make ends meet in the Granite State and explore some of the key elements of a broader strategy for easing the difficulties facing working families – a strategy that aims both to boost wages and salaries and to bring the cost of basic necessities within closer reach.
Event Details
Opening Remarks
The opening presentation will examine the overall question: What does it really take to make ends meet in the Granite State? We'll explore basic family budgets for various New Hampshire households and set the stage for deeper discussion.
Presenter:
- David Cooper, Senior Analyst, Economic Policy Institute
Plenary Session One
Making ends meet is a struggle for many due to low wages and workplace policies that make it difficult to care for family needs. Our first plenary discussion will outline strategies that boost wages and incomes – from increasing the minimum wage to implementing paid leave and other policy options.
Presenters:
- Holden Weisman, State and Local Policy Manager,CFED
- Ben Zipperer, Research Economist, Washington Center for Equitable Growth
- Jeffrey Hayes, Program Director, Job Quality and Income Security, Institute for Women's Policy Research
Plenary Session Two
New Hampshire's working families also struggle with high costs of housing, child care, and health care. In our second plenary discussion, we'll examine each of these challenges and explore policy changes that can make these basic necessities more affordable.
Presenters:
- Helen Blank, Director, Child Care and Early Learning, National Women’s Law Center
- Judith Solomon, Vice President for Health Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- Elissa Margolin, Director, Housing Action New Hampshire
Keynote Address
The keynote address will be presented by Katherine S. Newman, provost of UMass Amherst and author of more than a dozen books, including "The Missing Class: Portraits of the Near Poor in America" and "Chutes and Ladders: Navigating the Low Wage Labor Market." Her forthcoming book, "Learning to Labor in the 21st Century," explores workforce training strategies that open doors to higher wages and improved employment opportunities. Ms. Newman will share the experiences of families and workers struggling to get by and offer guidance in designing a comprehensive strategy to ease their challenges, a strategy that boosts income, reduces costs, and enhances economic security for all Granite Staters.
Registration Fee
$45
Continental breakfast and buffet lunch will be provided.
Preregistration is required to attend.
Registration deadline extended to February 10, but seats are limited.
Register today!
ATTENTION NH LEGISLATORS:
Thanks to the generous support of Child and Family Services of New Hampshire, we are pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships for complimentary conference registrations for current members of the New Hampshire Legislature. This opportunity is available to the first 20 legislators to register for the event. Enter promo code "NHLEG2016" on the registration form and click "Apply" to claim a scholarship.
Making Ends Meet Sponsors and Partners
Sponsors:
NEA-NH
Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy
Partners:
Child and Family Services of NH
New Futures
Full Circle Consulting
Kieschnick Consulting