The US economy lost 533,000 jobs in November alone, bringing the unemployment rate to 6.7 percent, and the underemployment rate, which takes into account discoursed workers who have stopped looking for work, and those who are working part time because they cannot get full time hours, to 12.5 percent.
On December 9 from 10 am-12 pm, the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution will hold a forum to discuss a new paper by Rebecca M. Blank of the Brookings Institution and Mark H. Greenberg of Georgetown University and the Center for American Progress Action Fund, proposing a new poverty measure that better reflects the actual economic conditions of low-income Americans.
Read more »
By Peter B. Edelman, Mark H. Greenberg, and Harry J. Holzer in the Washington Post
As policymakers struggle to respond to the global financial meltdown, most analysts suggest that our economy is entering a fairly serious and lengthy recession, with perhaps the highest unemployment rates in a generation. If true, this would inflict economic pain on most Americans — but the most severe effects will be felt by disadvantaged adults, youths and their families.
Read more »
The National Center for Children in Poverty has released a new report on the staggering numbers of American children growing up in low-income households, offering facts, analysis, and solutions.
Read more »
The National Center for Children in Poverty has released an interactive “Basic Needs Budget Calculator,” showing the cost of minimum daily necessities to American families based on a number of criteria. Try the calculator here.
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), the Chairman and Vice Chair, respectively, of the Joint Economic Committee, will hold a hearing on a new poverty measure Thursday, September 25 at 10 am.
Read more »
Dear Senator Dodd:
The Half in Ten Campaign is writing in support of S.3636, the Measuring American Poverty Act, an important step toward improving the measure of poverty in this country.
Read more »
Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) has introduced the Measuring American Poverty Act of 2008 (H.R. 6941), which would update the federal government’s standard for calculating poverty. Read more »
Dear Chairman McDermott:
The Half in Ten Campaign is writing in support of H.R. 6941, the Measuring American Poverty Act, an important step toward improving the measure of poverty in this country, and to thank you for your introduction of this legislation.
Read more »
The Coalition on Human Needs compiles sources of state data and analyses about federal and state budget issues, child welfare, health, housing and homelessness, labor and employment, disability, education, and general resources. Read more »
