New York lawmakers met Tuesday to explore the causes and effects of poverty in New York’s small and midsized cities, and what the state Legislature can do on the policy side.

The hearing demonstrated how widespread the problem is, and allowed legislators to hear potential solutions from people from across the state who deal with the issues every day.

Keyvio Owens, CERV coordinator for Rise Up Rochester, testified that finding ways to prevent violence will have a direct impact on poverty in New York’s small and midsize cities, where racial and generational issues also persist.

“People are on a lack of resources and fighting for their lives every day,” he said. “Poverty and violence typically run hand in hand. The numbers show where there is a higher concentration of poverty, there is a higher concentration of violence.”

Violence was one of many issues discussed at Tuesday’s hearing. Committee chair Rachel May, a Democrat from the Syracuse area, said it will help the committee determine legislative priorities. 

“I think we’ll have a lot of examples of models we can suggest across the state, but also material for potential bills,” she said.

Ranking member Republican Senator Rob Rolison emphasized the need to use the testimony to craft fiscally sustainable solutions.  

“People really deserve the understanding that the help is going to be there not one day, but many days because these are long-term problems,” he told Spectrum News 1.

Testimony covered things like programming support families that have lost loved ones, those with mental or physical health challenges, as well as the impacts of zoning and historical redlining on affordable housing.

Child poverty received particular focus. 

Kate Breslin is president and CEO of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. She said child poverty is part of a broader issue. One of her primary recommendations is expanding child tax credits. 

“Children are the population most likely to be living in poverty,” she said. ”We’re not going to move the needle on child poverty without assisting those adults who are in their lives, so it’s important to think, how do we move the needle on child poverty by making sure we’re looking at the whole family?” 

May said the next step is to compile the recommendations that really stuck out to be issued as a comprehensive report.