Voices for America's Children - nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy for better child policy » Economic Success

Texas targets kids for cuts; children there at disadvantage

Bill Bentley — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:37:55 +0000

Paul Krugman has a good column in the New York Times about how low government spending in Texas simply means low investment in children there. ”Who will bear the brunt of these cuts? America’s children,” Krugman concludes. New research by one of our Texas members suggests children are already paying the price.

Texans Care for Children, a member of the Voices network, analyzed data from state demographers and economists on the impact of unmet needs in children. For the first time in history, researchers now project the next generation of Texans will live less educated, more impoverished, and shorter lives than today’s adults. Only improvements to the state’s educational system, including early education and children’s health, will change the trajectory.

Congress quietly considers the possibility of state bankruptcy

Joanna Shoffner Scott — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:54:33 +0000

We’ve written before about the financial strains that state budgets have felt in the past few years and the potential impact on children. The recession has meant reduced economic activity and thus reduced tax income for state governments. Since states are required to balance their budgets every year, many of them are stuck with less money just as children and families depend the most on safety net programs.

Today the New York Times reports that Congress may be mulling a bankruptcy option for states. Such a move would cause significant constitutional problems, but many experts wonder if it’s the only way out for states facing billions in budget shortfalls. Meanwhile, our friends at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities have released a report that urges calmness about the problem of state debt, writing, “States have adequate tools and means to meet their obligations.”

No car and no supermarket nearby

Joanna Shoffner Scott — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:57:02 +0000

Some 2.3 million American households lack both a car and a grocery store within walking distance. These families likely struggle getting healthy, affordable food. Many of them have to rely on pricier and less healthy sources like convenience stores. Areas without proper food stores are called “food deserts” by nutrition experts.

Slate Labs has recently created a fascinating map of America’s food deserts. Get a county-by-county look at the food availability of America and mouse over your area to see how it scores. Befriend us on Facebook to get more updates on child nutrition and health.

“No one goes hungry in America,” and other myths

Joanna Shoffner Scott — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:22:46 +0000

In the “5 myths about hunger in America,” the Washington Post shows that hunger is a much more serious problem than some Americans realize. More than 17 million families live at risk of hunger in this country, and it’s not just a humanitarian problem; when so many live at risk of hunger, it’s a health, economic and security threat to us all.

Read the piece to learn how hunger in America affects us all through health costs from obesity; possible risks to enlistment; and the social costs of underachievement. Visit our child nutrition page to learn how passing the child nutrition bill can make meals more available and healthier for American kids.

The cost of the financial crisis: $108k per household

Casey_Labrack — Tue, 25 May 2010 18:17:40 +0000

Between costs and losses in home value and stock, the financial crisis cost $108,000 per American household, according to a new report by The Pew Trust. From the report:

“U.S. households lost on average nearly $5,800 in income due to reduced economic growth during the acute stage of the financial crisis from September 2008 through the end of 2009.[1] Costs to the federal government due to its interventions to mitigate the financial crisis amounted to $2,050, on average, for each U.S. household. Also, the combined peak loss from declining stock and home values totaled nearly $100,000, on average per U.S. household, during the July 2008 to March 2009 period. This analysis highlights the importance of reducing the onset and severity of future financial crises, and the value of market reforms to achieve this goal.”

Congress is working on a jobs bill addressed at families still reeling from the economic downturn. Learn more about the jobs bill in Voices’ legislative newsletter, and contact your representatives in Congress today!

A huge show of support for child nutrition programs

Joanna Shoffner Scott — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:38:52 +0000

This week 221 members of Congress expressed bipartisan support for bolstering child nutrition programs this year. In a letter presented to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the representatives request that child nutrition programs be reauthorized for the additional $10 billion a year that President Obama and child advocates demand.

Nearly one in four children lives at risk of hunger, but you can help. Visit Voices’ child nutrition page to learn more about the reauthorization effort and how you can contribute. Check back often!