Recession Could Push Millions into Deep Poverty

[T]he current downturn is likely to cause significant increases both in the number of Americans who are poor and the number living in "deep poverty," with incomes below half of the poverty line...There are a series of steps that federal and state policymakers could take to soften the recessions harshest impacts and limit the extent of the increases in deep poverty, destitution, and homelessness."
The Center held a press briefing to discuss the key findings in our new deep poverty analysis. Listen to the presentation

States and the Weak Economy:

Revenue Numbers Plummet

[S]tate revenue dropped sharply in the July-September 2008 quarter, creating large, additional state budget shortfalls. All indications are that revenue collections will worsen further in coming months."Budget Problems Worsen

At least 41 states faced or are facing shortfalls in their budgets for this and/or next year." Read more

Additional Background:
Policy Points: Overview of States and the Weak Economy
Many States are Imposing Cuts That Hurt Vulnerable Residents

Nicholas Johnson

For the seventh consecutive year, the Center has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of charities."

Click to review our four-star rating.

You often hear that the poor and working people don't have a voice in Washington...As it turns out, this bit of conventional wisdom is wrong for one reason: Bob Greenstein and his crew at the Center..."

Washington Post Columnist Steven Pearlstein's profile of the Center

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