Thad Altman, Alan Williams pushing for poverty commission within DEO

Citing growing inequality between the “haves and have nots” and higher-than-average levels of poverty in Florida, a bipartisan pair of lawmakers is pursuing legislation to establish a Commission on Poverty within the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity.

 SB 556 and HB 371 would create a commission made of representatives from the executive branch, legislative appointees, and low-income Floridians to meet at least twice a year and submit annual reports to the governor and Legislature on matters relating to poverty.

Sen. Thad Altman, a Brevard Republican, is co-sponsoring the measure with Tallahassee Democratic Rep. Alan Williams.

“In America, there are some 14.7 million living below the poverty line,” said Williams. “That’s 14.7 million too many.”

The lawmakers told reporters Thursday that impoverished Floridians – nearly 20 percent of the state’s more than 19 millions residents, according to Williams – should be “at the top of the list” when it comes to state efforts to expand economic opportunity.

The DEO is Gov. Rick Scott‘s brainchild. He established it shortly after taking office in 2011 and it has since been the vehicle of choice for his many initiatives to lure out-of-state businesses to Florida.

At first blush, it seems unlikely Scott would want his jobs focus diluted by a new board like the one proposed by Altman and Williams, but Altman said he is “optimistic” the governor will welcome the commission.

Citing Scott’s childhood, which he touts as an American success story, Williams said the governor would logically embrace the proposal.

“I think this resonates within his message and what he’s working for,” Altman said. “I am optimistic that this will be received favorably” by Scott.