Miscellaneous
ft. Caryn York, CEO of JOTF (Job Opportunities Task Force). On this episode Arinze sits down with Caryn to discuss the work of JOTF— whose mission is to help transition low wage workers to high wage jobs. Caryn explains what the “criminalization of poverty” is and why JOTF is working to eradicate it from our public policies (3:22). Part of that work includes reforming Maryland’s overwhelmingly punitive child support system and understanding how to put in place policies that actually benefit chilren and co-parents (7:40). Caryn talks about the solutions JOTF is supporting to help create more equitable child support guidelines (16:40) and explains how economic justice is inextricably linked to our criminal justice system (20:40). Next Arinze asks Caryn about the changes she’s seen in the General Assembly under new leadership (21:40) and their willingness to take a different approach to longstanding issues such as criminal record expungement (22:50)— particularly the elimination of the “unit rule” which is preventing tens of thousands of Marylanders accessing expungement. Caryn explains why these Marylanders cannot get dropped charges off of their criminal records— the reason will blow your mind (24:40). Arinze asks Caryn how this year’s “tough on crime” rhetoric is impacting JOTF’s work to reform the criminal justice system and decriminalize poverty (31:20). The conversation wraps with this question: “What should politicians seeking election or re-election in Baltimore pursue to help turn the City around?” (36:30).