New York Times: “‘How Do You Say ‘Economic Security?’” A compelling op-ed piece addresses the rhetorical shift in lawmakers’ dialogue about government’s role in issues of poverty. Looking back to FDR during the Great Depression, the authors point out his use of “morally resonant language” that engaged a shared sense of social concern, addressing the [...]

Following the recent release of startling new poverty figures from the US Census Bureau, there has been an outpouring of responses in the media. We have highlighted a few of these articles here: New York Times: “Poor Are Still Getting Poorer, but Downturns Punch Varies, Census Data Show.” Looking at where poverty hit the hardest [...]

Five days ago, President Obama outlined The American Jobs Act,  an economic recovery plan that addresses the jobs crisis that many low and middle income families are facing. Today, the Census Bureau released its most recent data on national poverty. The crisis, it appears, is not just about jobs. It is also about the record [...]

New York Times: “The New Resentment of the Poor” While Republicans staunchly defend tax breaks for the wealthiest individuals and corporations, new rhetoric has emerged that calls for increased taxes on the poorest people in America who need to pay their “fair share”, including the elimination of the earned income tax credit and a rise [...]

New York Times: “Failing Forward” Charles M. Blow discusses the increased rate of unintended pregnancies among low-income women and the impact that proposed conservative policies will have on these children. While politicians on the right push for anti-abortion measures that would only exacerbate this problem, they also propose cuts to services like the federal Women, [...]

City Limits: “NY Pols Tout Bill Targeting Jobless Youth.” On Tuesday in Harlem, Representative Charles Rangel, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand,  Assembly member Keith Wright, and leaders from that National Urban League presented their new legislation aimed at combating youth unemployment. Called the Urban Jobs Act, this legislation allocates $20 million for GED programs, individual case management, [...]

New York Times: “New York City Will Mandate Sex Education.” A new policy will require middle school and high school children to take sex education classes, standardizing sex-ed policies across the city that are now largely determined by individual school principals. Courses will address sex and reproductive health in a frank and realistic way, covering [...]

New York Times: “The Decade of Lost Children” Charles M. Blow discusses the devastating impact of the recession on children in particular, citing a recent report by the Children’s Defense Fund. The number of American children living in poverty has increased by 4 million since 2000, with 2008 to 2009 showing the greatest increase in [...]

After a prolonged and divisive debate, lawmakers in Washington have passed a budget deal that projects a grim future for social services and job creation. Thanks to obstinate Members of Congress on the far-right, the deal focuses entirely on budget cuts while steering clear of viable revenue options like the elimination of tax breaks for [...]

City Limits: “Remember Poverty? Anyone? Anyone?” Reporter Neil DeMause addresses the reasons why meaningful discussions about poverty are left out of political debates. His contribution to the July issue of City Limits includes profiles of real New Yorkers living in poverty and the daily struggles that they face. New York Times: “Children’s Services Leader Leaving After [...]