The “fiscal cliff”: Are kids teetering on the edge?

What is this “fiscal cliff,” and are American kids teetering on the edge? As Congress scrambles to enact a deal before year’s end, what do we need to do to keep children from going over?

Next year, federal spending will…

Health reform: What’s at stake in the Supreme Court decision

The health reform law’s fate will be decided in a Supreme Court decision that could come very soon. There are a lot of possible scenarios for how the high court may rule. One thing is for sure: a victory for…

States overstate student performance

Our weekly newsletter, Speaking Out!, has a great recap of our new education report and the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s report on kinship care:

We know from federal test score data that most fourth graders are not proficient in reading…

Reckless cuts to kids pass House

Last week the House went through with its reckless plan to slash children’s programs. In a vote of 218-199, it passed a budget that would dismantle much of the safety net, dealing massive blows to food stamps, Medicaid and other…

Congress could increase rents on 500,000 low-income families

A version of The Affordable Housing and Self-Sufficiency Improvement Act (AHSSIA) that increases the rents for 500,000 of the nation’s poorest families is scheduled for consideration by the House Financial Services Committee in the near future. This measure requires housing…

Some progress on No Child Left Behind, but is it good for kids?

Last week the House made some progress on renewing No Child Left Behind, the controversial education law. Two components of what would be a renewed No Child Left Behind passed a House committee on Tuesday, and would make big changes…

President Obama’s budget and kids

Last week President Obama outlined his proposed budget for federal spending in fiscal year 2013. The role of government has been hugely controversial as the election season gears up, and child advocates have had to defend cherished aid for needy…

Child advocates on the State of the Union

Last week President Obama gave Congress and the nation some details on his plan for “An America Built to Last.” His third State of the Union address primarily focused on economic issues, but had many implications for children, especially in…

Congress skirmishes over unemployment benefits

Partisan bickering over unemployment benefits and the payroll tax cut continued last week. At stake are nearly 2 million people whose benefits would be cut off in January if extended unemployment benefits are not renewed this year.

Both long-term unemployment…

How to understand the federal budget talk

The congressional “super committee” is nearing a decision on how to cut more than $1 trillion from federal spending, and next year’s appropriations process is trying to address the budget deficit as well. There is general agreement that some sacrifices…