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Truth or Consequences

Truth or Consequences. Gilda Z. Jacobs Western Michigan University March 21, 2013.

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Truth or Consequences

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  1. Truth or Consequences Gilda Z. Jacobs Western Michigan University March 21, 2013

  2. The League’s MissionTo foster economic opportunity, independence and security of Michigan’s economically vulnerable population by shaping public policy through objective data-driven research, education and advocacy 1223 Turner St. Suite G-1, Lansing, MI 48906-4369  (517) 487-5436 Fax: (517) 371-4546  Web site: www.MiLHS.org A United Way Agency

  3. Setting the Table Cuts: 2001 - $26 M 2012 - $2 M 2013 - $6 M State EITC refunds drop from $349 million to $105 million 1 Unemployment: 8.9% in December; 413,000 unemployed 5 2 48% of kids receiving free and reduced price lunches 1/837 homes foreclosure filing in January 3 4 Michigan League for Public Policy

  4. Setting the Table cont’d. One third of working families in Michigan are low- income 6 More Michigan residents lost more employer-sponsored insurance than anywhere in country in past decade (4.2 million to 3 million covered) Income disparity nationwide is at highest levels since Great Depression, and Michigan has a big gap 7 8 Michigan League for Public Policy

  5. What is Poverty? Family of 3 $18,000 Family of 4 $24,000 Michigan League for Public Policy

  6. Poverty in Michigan Continuesto Rise Michigan League for Public Policy

  7. 2011 Poverty Total 17.5% Children 24.4% Families with Children 20.9% Michigan League for Public Policy

  8. 1 in 6 people live in poverty Total number of people living in poverty 1,693,294 Michigan League for Public Policy

  9. 1 in 5 families with children live in poverty Number of families with children living in poverty 1,138,970 Michigan League for Public Policy

  10. 1 in 4 children live in poverty Number of children living in poverty 548,145 Michigan League for Public Policy

  11. How Much Do KIDS COUNT in Michigan? Michigan kids in poverty would fill the UM Big House 5 times Michigan League for Public Policy

  12. Young Children, Ages 0-5, Eligible for Food Assistance Program* 2011 (MI – 37.4%) 47.7% Michigan League for Public Policy

  13. WorseBetter 60 40 20 0 20 40 Michigan Trends in Child Well-Being 2005-2010 Economic Security Education Michigan League for Public Policy

  14. Change in Family Poverty, 2007 - 2011 Michigan League for Public Policy

  15. Change in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2007 - 2011 Michigan League for Public Policy

  16. Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2011 13.3% white, not Latino Michigan League for Public Policy

  17. Michigan League for Public Policy

  18. Michigan League for Public Policy

  19. Kalamazoo County: Child Well-Being Overall ranking 49 out of 82 counties Michigan League for Public Policy

  20. Kalamazoo County: Child Well-Being Child poverty increased 49% 1 of every 4 from 2005-2011. Michigan League for Public Policy

  21. Kalamazoo County: Child Well-Being Rate of students eligible for free/reduced lunch increased 29% Michigan League for Public Policy

  22. What Causes/Contributesto Poverty? Michigan League for Public Policy

  23. 400,000 Workers Unemployed Every Month in 2012. Jobs Michigan League for Public Policy

  24. Income Michigan’s Median Income of $45,981 has dropped more than $6,000 since the beginning of the recession. Michigan League for Public Policy

  25. Tax Changes CAR PAYMENT CREDIT CARDS FOOD GAS UTILITIES SAVINGS MORTGAGE Michigan League for Public Policy Cuts to business taxes Shift the burden to individuals

  26. Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit Cut, 2011 vs. 2012 70%drop $439 $132 Michigan League for Public Policy

  27. Fewer Children Kept Outof Poverty 20%= 14,000 6% = 5,000 Michigan League for Public Policy

  28. Policy Changes UI benefits Asset test for food assistance Restrictions on FIP Michigan League for Public Policy

  29. More Policy Changes Lifetime cap on cash assistance Heating and energy assistance cut Cuts to need-based financial aid grants Higher ed/community colleges cuts Michigan League for Public Policy

  30. Philanthropy can’t make up for loss of public services For example: • State spending $174 million less a year in Wayne County alone on non-Medicaid assistance • Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan spends $54 million a year in seven-county area Michigan League for Public Policy

  31. What Can We Do to Reduce Economic Insecurity? • Restore unemployment insurance benefits and index them for inflation. • Restore the state Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income working families. • Raise the minimum wage to a level that lifts a family of four above the poverty level ($23,000). • Raise the eligibility and adjust the sliding scale for the child care subsidy. Michigan League for Public Policy

  32. Advocacy 101: YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE • Contact your legislators/members of Congress • Write letters to the editor/Op-Eds • Provide stories of impact of policy decisions Michigan League for Public Policy

  33. Advocacy tools • Put it in writing • Make a call • Put in face time • Building a relationship Michigan League for Public Policy

  34. What if? • If there were no advocates, there wouldn’t have been: • Women’s Suffrage Movement • Civil Rights Act of 1964 • Voting Rights Act of 1965 • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Michigan League for Public Policy

  35. Additional Information • Website: www.mlpp.org • Join the Nokomis Challenge • Sign up for “Email Alerts” • Check our blog • Become a member • Join the Prosperity Coalition: www.prosperitycoalition.org

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