In The News
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For those out of work in R.I., a sense of relief (Providence Journal, 7.21.10)
Kate Brewster, executive director of the Poverty Institute, of Providence, a social policy think tank, said that restoration of the federal benefit programs is “welcome news, not only for the thousands of Rhode Islanders who are about to lose their economic lifeline, but also for the state’s economy” because benefits that the unemployed receive is “invested right back into Rhode Island,” she said.
Safety net wears thin for Rhode Islanders hitting 24-month welfare limit (Providence Journal, Front Page, 7.10.10)
“The termination of the families because of the 24-month time limit highlights the deep flaws in the design and implementation of the Rhode Island Works program,” said Linda Katz, policy director for The Poverty Institute."
Wealthy Reap Rewards While Those Who Work Lose (Interpress Service, 7.9.10)
"Within last five years the state cut back work support programs like child care assistance and funded health insurance," Brewster said. "The cruel irony is that when families really need help, less is available."
The Global Waiver, One Year Later (RI Monthly, 6.24.10)
“The bottom line is: How much is the state willing to invest in Medicaid?” asks Linda Katz of the Poverty Institute. “The waiver has given the state some fiscal relief, but that hasn’t been used to expand services, just to offset state general revenue spending.”
Unemployment benefit goes up, reflecting rise in cost of living (Providence Journal 6.16.10)
Kate Brewster, executive director of the Poverty Institute, of Providence, a social-policy think tank, said that the increase in the maximum weekly benefit will help. “As the cost of living rises every year, it’s important that we adjust our unemployment benefits to coincide with that, so that people don’t fall further behind,” Brewster said.
Group sees R.I. tax plan as a boost (Providence Journal 6.3.10)
Russell Dannecker, fiscal policy analyst at the Poverty Institute, of Providence, a social policy think tank, said the revenue loss would occur “at the worst possible time” as the state faces budget deficits.
R.I. General Assembly continues work on tax-overhaul bill (Providence Journal, 5.28.10)
Kate Brewster, executive director of the Poverty Institute, of Providence, a social policy think tank, said she wants to learn more about the overhaul plan, such as its exact cost in state revenue and whether such money would be better spent investing in work-force training and education, infrastructure and other areas.
Without extension, thousands in R.I. could lose jobless benefits June 2 (Providence Journal 5.28.10)
Kate Brewster, executive director of the Poverty Institute, of Providence, a social policy think tank, said, “Given that our unemployment rate is still fourth-highest in the nation, at 12.5 percent, it’s clear that the Ocean State is still not out of the woods, and extended relief is needed now as it has been throughout the recession.”
R.I. legislators revamping personal income tax system (Providence Journal 5.20.10)
Legislative leaders are poised to unveil a sweeping plan as soon as next week that would bring fundamental changes to the state’s personal income tax system.
Rhode Island's Medicaid gamble (Stateline.org 5.11.10)
“Looking ahead, the question remains: How much is the state willing to put on the table for Medicaid?” asks Linda Katz, policy director of the Poverty Institute at Rhode Island College School of Social Work. She supports the state’s drive to “rebalance” long term care so that more seniors are treated in community centers, but faults the state for what she calls its “ideologically-driven initiative to radically change the Medicaid program.”
Candidates Talk About the Poor (Woonsocket Call 5.12.10)
The coalition's conference Tuesday also included a "State of the State" as related to poverty issues from Linda Katz of the Poverty Institute, and Elizabeth Burke Bryant from Kids Count.
For R.I. budget, some hopeful signs (Providence Journal, 5.7.10)
Rhode Island Poverty Institute fiscal policy analyst Russell Dannecker, Marino’s predecessor, was slightly more optimistic. “I think that’s a real possibility,” he said of the likelihood that deficit projections might shrink.
Women's Policy Issues: A Gubernatorial Forum (RI Future, 5.5.10)
The Poverty Institute and the Women's Fund of Rhode Island hosted a gubernatorial debate called "Women's Policy Issues" on May 4, 2010 at Lincoln School in Providence. Giroux were not there).
Candidates for RI governor offer views on social issues such as sex education, abortion (Providence Journal, 5.5.10)
Poverty Institute executive director Kate Brewster acknowledged that the economy would play a central role in voters’ minds, but said the state’s social safety net becomes more critical given the massive number of Rhode Islanders without jobs. “This is our next state’s leader. They really have the ability to set the tone and push policies forward,” she said of the safety-net programs. “They’re important to not only women, but families as well. In this economy, it’s been proven that anybody can be hit by a job loss.”
Women's Forum Brings Out All the Candidates (ABC6, 5.5.10)
For the first time this election season, all six candidates for Governor in RI were on one stage at the same time - at a women's forum at the Lincoln School in Providence on Tuesday. All of the candidates voiced their concerns and ideas for the economy of Rhode Island, and the desperate need to create more jobs in the state.
First governor forum resembles spring training (WRNI, 5.4.10)
Sloganeering and sound bites trumped specific policy recommendations as the six announced candidates for governor sparred tonight at a well-attended candidate’s forum _ the first in the gubernatorial sweepstakes_ on women's issues held at the Lincoln School on Providence's East Side.
Summit seeks consensus on plan to grow jobs (Providence Business News, 5.3.10)
Linda Katz, the policy director at The Poverty Institute, also praised the summit for bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders – and for the opportunity to connect work force development as a critical component of future economic development. “For too long, work force development was not connected to economic development in Rhode Island,” she said. “We have employers now who are looking for new employees, and even in this economy, they can’t find the skilled workers they need.”
Gubernatorial Debate (Providence Phoenix, 4.28.10)
An interesting gubernatorial debate afoot, that will touch on some important issues that might otherwise get short shrift in the campaign. All the major candidates have committed to attending.
Advocates fear effect from loss of welfare benefits (WRNI 4.26.10)
Advocates for low-income families in Rhode Island say a new wave of homeless could soon be forced into the state's homeless shelters, many of which are already full. That's because close to 1,000 families and individuals --- 12 percent of the total -- will lose their welfare benefits in June
R.I. House panel shifts focus to taxes (Providence Journal 4.23.10)
Russell Dannecker, fiscal policy analyst with The Poverty Institute said of the overall plan, “We’d certainly want to look at it,” particularly at how it would affect taxpayers in all income categories.
R.I. House panel may trim ‘safety net’ programs (Providence Journal 4.22.10)
“I would hope that the residents of Rhode Island that depend on these services understand what’s at risk,” said Linda Katz, policy director of The Poverty Institute.
Lawmaker says obscure tax break costly to state (Providence Journal 4.8.10)
Russell Dannecker, fiscal policy analyst at the Poverty Institute...said that the tax break at the state level does not help struggling companies because it can be claimed only if a business is profitable, “and the vast majority claiming it are large multi-state firms that may invest little or nothing in the state in which the deduction is being taken.”
Women, children paying high price for cuts in programs (Providence Journal, 4.7.10)
“As the economy turns around,” reads a statement from The Poverty Institute, “we hope that policymakers will renew their commitment to low- and modest-income working mothers and their families by restoring some of the funding that has been lost.”
Advocates say R.I. spending for aid to women has plunged (Providence Journal 4.6.10)
“One of the cruel ironies is that as today’s stagnant wages and record unemployment have left more women and families in need of help, the report shows less government assistance is available,” said Kate Brewster, executive director of the Poverty Institute. “We do hope that with the elections coming up that there would be a renewed commitment to restore the investments that have eroded.”
Support for women, children dropping (Providence Business News 4.6.10)
State support to help women and families attain or maintain economic self-sufficiency has severely eroded, according to a report released Tuesday by the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and The Poverty Institute at a news conference at The Rhode Island Foundation.
An Uneven Path (RI Future blog 4.6.10)
The piece, entitled, “An Uneven Path: State Investments in Women’s Economic Self Sufficiency” shows the impact that years of decreased funding have had on four key programs that help families make ends meet: child care assistance, health care, cash assistance, and child support.
House committee to consider combined reporting (Providence Journal 4.6.10)
The Poverty Institute, of Providence, which analyzes tax and budget policies on behalf of low-income people, said that under the current system, “corporations can artificially shift profits that are actually earned in Rhode Island onto the books of subsidiaries that Rhode Island cannot tax because they are located in other states.”
Should Welfare Recipients Get Drug Testing? (WBUR Radio, Boston)
And it's the savings that critics say motivates bill sponsors — not the desire to help some users go straight. "The sponsor in our state said it was purely for cost savings," says Linda Katz, policy director of the Poverty Institute. "This is really just designed to demean parents on welfare."
Jobless benefits to slip away for thousands in R.I. (Providence Journal 3.30.10)
“The cruel irony is that at a time when the needs of Rhode Islanders are growing, the state has fewer resources to help. A failure to extend unemployment benefits will only further strain already overburdened social service providers,” [Kate] Brewster added.
Bill would require drug testing for R.I. welfare recipients (Providence Journal 3.25.10)
And in addition to doubting the reliability of drug tests, Poverty Institute Policy Director Linda Katz questioned whether the legislation would meet Palumbo’s goal to save money. Aside from administrative costs, Rhode Island taxpayers will pay nothing this year to fund the welfare program now dubbed “Rhode Island Works.”...“If he’s looking to make any savings in terms of general revenue, there’s no savings to be had because we’re not spending a penny,” Katz said. “We’re not giving any families any state dollars.”
R.I. implements federal unemployment benefits bill (Providence Journal 3.5.10)
Kate Brewster, executive director of The Poverty Institute in Providence, which analyzes tax and budget policies on behalf of low-income people, said Wednesday, “It’s a very good step for those who continue to suffer the effects of the recession, and it’s also good because it’s money that will continue to flow into the [Rhode Island] economy. It’s a double bang for the buck.”
Official: Medicaid Growth is a Boon (Providence Business News, 1.8.10)
"Virtually every seat was taken at the event, held at Rhodes-On-The-Pawtuxet, with a large health care-sector presence because of the particular focus on Medicaid‟s role in the state budget."
The Poverty Institute's Budget Rhode Map Part 1 (RI Future Blog, 1.9.10) and Part 2 (RI Future Blog 1.13.10) Includes video from Jeff Thompson's and Russ Danneckers's presentations
"What was really striking, and incredibly refreshing to hear, was Thompson’s assessment of preferential tax treatments and incentive programs - all those things politicians love to praise as magic job creation tools."
RI budget conference unveils future projections in health care and the economy (Providence en Espanol, 1.15.10)
"According to several experts that attended the meeting conducted by the Poverty Institute last Friday, the future of health care and the state’s finances seems favorable if and when changes take place."
Poverty Institute Review (Providence Journal Political Scene 1.4.10)
If you enjoy public budgeting as much as the crew at Political Scene, this Friday’s state budget conference hosted by the Poverty Institute is not to be missed, even if it starts at 8:30 a.m.
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