R.I. antipoverty activists press Carcieri on jobs, utility shutoffs

By Paul Davis, Providence Journal,  August 22, 2009

PROVIDENCE — Antipoverty activists Friday urged Governor Carcieri to do more to help the poor, the jobless and those without gas or electricity.

The federal government gave the state $40 million to help Rhode Islanders pay their utility bills, but more than 6,000 people have had their electricity or gas shut off, said Henry Shelton, coordinator at the George Wiley Center, a community organizing center based in Pawtucket.

The number is high, in part, because the shutoff regulations “are so bad,” said Shelton. The utility companies require customers with delinquent accounts to pay more than they can afford to have their utilities turned on again, he said.

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PUC panel decides to reconsider shutoff rules

By Paul Davis, Providence Journal,  July 18, 2009

PROVIDENCE — The Public Utilities Commission will revisit the rules that allow utility companies to shut off service to Rhode Islanders hurt by the souring economy.

“The rules are so complicated it takes a lawyer to understand them,” said Commission Chairman Elia Germani.

The George Wiley Center, in Pawtucket, sought the “hardship” moratorium, but the request was “not as clear as it should be,” Germani said.

The commissioners did, however, approve naming a 10-member committee to review all shutoff rules and regulations, Germani said.

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Anti-poverty group would curtail utility shutoffs

By Andy Smith, Providence Journal,  June 20, 2009

Antipoverty activist Henry Shelton, head of the George Wiley Center in Pawtucket, is calling on the state Public Utilities Commission to impose a “hardship moratorium” on utility shutoffs for any Rhode Island household in foreclosure or experiencing a job loss. The proposal would require anyone applying for the moratorium to make an “affordable” payment plan for utility service.

Shelton and other associates of the Wiley Center delivered a petition signed by about 80 people to the state Public Utilities Commission on Friday.

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Protestors demand easier access to food stamps

By Felice J. Freyer, Providence Journal,  April 5, 2009

PROVIDENCE — Just over a dozen protesters, beating a drum and shaking a maraca, marched to a state human services office on Broad Street Saturday to demand easier access to food stamps.

The protesters, from the George Wiley Center, said that it was one of five buildings around the state that advocates visited to press for keeping food-stamp offices open on Saturdays to accommodate the working poor.

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Antipoverty Advocates Urge Governor to Expand Food Stamp Program

By Paul Davis, Providence Journal,  March 7, 2009

PAWTUCKET — Antipoverty advocates yesterday again urged Governor Carcieri to improve the food stamp program. The state needs 40 more workers to handle the growing demand for food, they said.

The governor should restore budget cuts to school breakfast programs and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and shorten the food stamp application form from 28 to 4 pages, similar to forms used in Massachusetts, Maine and California, said members of the George Wiley Center in Pawtucket.

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Where Are The Food Stamps?

Wiley Center members discuss food stamps with DHS Director Gary Alexander Friday, February 13, 2009.
Photo by: John J. Colby.

By Pat Crowley, Rhode Island's Future,  February 13, 2009

“No more delays,” was the message members of the George Wiley Center delivered to Gary Alexander, Director of the Department of Human Services on Friday.

Henry Shelton, Coordinator of the Wiley Center, addressed the need for DHS to hire more food stamp application processors. “We and others have been waiting for months for DHS to hire at least 14 more workers. Every month we hear that hires are being held up by someone in the Governor's inner circle. This has to stop,” Shelton insisted.

Read more at Rhode Island's Future.

Wiley Center Members Deliver Holiday Wish List
to Rhode Island State House December 23rd, 2008

George Wiley Center members pose with special holiday ornaments which illustrate a Wish List of items calling attention to Rhode Islanders' need for jobs, food, and heat.
Photo by: John J. Colby.

Like the three Wise Men, a contingent of George Wiley Center supporters delivered Christmas gifts to the rotunda of the State House on December 23rd, 2008. Led by Coordinator Henry Shelton, the group decorated the state tree with ornaments painted to call attention to Rhode Islanders' need for jobs, food, and heat. After the tree was decorated, the group delivered a New Year's Wish List to several General Assembly leaders.

Speaking to aides of House Finance Chairman Steven Costantino, Henry Shelton emphasized that the George Wiley Center supported legislative action to create programs that would fund “green” jobs. “People need jobs and Rhode Island right now has almost $6 million dollars in federal money for weatherization. Those jobs should be filled now. There is no reason not to be saving energy while supporting more employment for weatherization — 100% of the workers wages are paid for with federal money.”

Members of the group also called for the State to hire more workers to process unemployment claims and to assist persons who are eligible for food stamps. Jack Colby, speaking for the group said, “Again, all of the wages paid to the hires who process unemployment claims would be paid for with federal money. Rhode Island does not have to come-up with even one penny. With unemployment in Rhode Island hovering around 9%, the highest in the country, and with their wages paid for by Washington, there is no excuse not to hire more workers to process unemployment claims.”

George Wiley Center members deliver their New Year's Wish List to an aide to then State Senate Majority Leader Joseph A. Montalbano on December 23, 2008.
Photo by: John J. Colby.

When the “Wish List” was delivered to House Speaker William Murphy'’s office, John Lawlor, Esq., a member of the George Wiley Center's Leadership Committee Lawlor drew attention to the need for more food stamp workers. “There is no excuse for Rhode Island to have so few eligible citizens signed up for food stamps. With more workers to process food stamp applications, up to 60,000 eligible persons could begin to receive food stamp assistance.”

Speaking to a WPRO reporter who covered the tree decorating while it was underway, Henry Shelton said that if the food stamp program hired just 20 more workers to process claims, and if they signed up 40,000 of the eligible persons who should be relieving food stamps now, up to $35 million additional food stamp dollars would come into Rhode Island next year. “What an economic stimulus package that would be,” Shelton noted. Especially since 97% of food stamp dollars are spent in the month that they are received. This boon for Rhode Island comes with another silver lining since fully 50% of the cost of each food stamp worker is paid for with money from the federal government.