Tag: working poor

Don’t miss next Monday’s luncheon with national AFL-CIO leader

February 26, 2013 at 9:26 amCategory:Uncategorized

by

Liz Schuler, Secretary Treasurer of the AFL-CIO

Some seats still remain for next Monday’s NC Policy Watch Crucial Conversation with Liz Shuler, Secretary-Treasuer of the AFL-CIO. Shuler will discuss the ongoing legislative assault on workers and the right to unionize (both in North Carolina and nationally) and what it has meant for American working people.

Don’t miss this important opportunity to hear from this powerful and important voice for working families.

When: Monday, March 4, at 12:30 p.m. — (Note later than usual start – box lunches will be available at 12:15 p.m).

Where: Center for Community Leadership Training Room at the Junior League of Raleigh Building, 711 Hillsborough St. at the corner of Hillsborough and St. Mary’s streets.

Cost: $10 – includes box lunch. Box lunches will be available at 12:15 p.m.

Space is limited – pre-registration required.

Click here to register

Questions?? Contact Rob Schofield at 919-861-2065 or rob@ncpolicywatch.com.

Somewhere, over the rainbow, tax “reform” is failing

February 14, 2013 at 4:50 pmCategory:Uncategorized

by

In Kansas, tax reform isn’t exactly playing out the way some lawmakers had hoped.  The state that Grover Norquist once called “the starter gun for tax competition” has passed a series of income tax cuts over the past year with the stated goal of eventually eliminating income taxes altogether in the near future.  This “race to zero” is well underway in several states with conservative governors and legislatures.  Here’s a quick look at how that’s working out so far for Kansas:

A $2.5B budget shortfall

The Kansas Legislative Research Department is projecting a $2.5 billion revenue hole through 2018 because the legislature has yet to figure out an effective way to replace lost revenues as a result of the income tax cuts.

A threatened credit rating

Last month, a state court ruled that the Kansas legislature was breaking the law by underfunding public schools as a result of the income tax cuts, which prompted Moody’s Investors Service to warn of a negative credit risk for the state.

Less funding for public services

Concerns over the state’s credit rating aren’t the only thing that should give Kansans pause.  By starving public schools and other services critical to economic success, the state is jeopardizing future growth. Read More…

New Census data shows increase in low-income working families for 5th Year

January 15, 2013 at 1:49 pmCategory:Uncategorized

by

change in povertyA new Working Poor Families Project report finds for a fifth consecutive year the number of low-income working families has risen in the U.S., with nearly a third of all working families unable to earn enough to meet their basic needs.

New data show that 10.4 million U.S. working families were low-income in 2011, up from 10.2 million in 2010.

In North Carolina, 36% of the state’s working families were living below 200% of the federal poverty level in 2011 – struggling to cover housing costs, utilities, and child care.

The report notes that children growing up in low-income families have worse health and educational outcomes, and fewer opportunities for upward mobility.working poor

Nationwide, the total number of people that make-up low-income working families stands at 47.5 million. That is roughly equivalent to the total number of residents in California, Oregon, and Washington combined.

The report calls on federal and state policymakers to take actions that strengthen both job growth and job quality, and increase access to educational opportunities.

To read the full report, click here.