In Case You Missed It...

This week on Off the Charts, we examined ways to address high levels of unemployment, state budget and tax issues, preventive health care services in health reform, what to do about the soon-to-expire Bush tax cuts, and possible improvements to the WIC nutrition program for low-income mothers and children.

• On unemployment, Nick Johnson highlighted two charts that show why Congress needs to extend the parts of last year’s Recovery Act that provided extra weeks of jobless benefits and aid to cash-strapped states.  Donna Pavetti illustrated how the TANF Emergency Fund is helping states create jobs across the country, showcasing South Carolina as an example of how the fund is working.
• On the state level, Jon Shure explained that, notwithstanding claims to the contrary, millionaires are not fleeing states because of high taxes; there are just fewer millionaires nationally due to the recession.  In this week’s Q & A, Phil Oliff discussed the tough times that states are facing as they enter the new fiscal year.  And, Liz McNichol highlighted key findings in her recently updated report on 46 states facing budget shortfalls between revenue sources and spending needs in 2011.
• On preventive care, Sarah Lueck explained how millions of Americans will soon be able to receive preventive health care services free of charge under rules that the White House issued this week to help implement the health reform law.
• On the Bush tax cuts, Chuck Marr provided some recommended reading for those following the Senate debate about whether or not to extend the cuts.
• On WIC, the program that provides carefully selected foods and nutrition services to 9 million low-income pregnant and postpartum women and young children, Zoë Neuberger pointed to a key improvement that could potentially save the program money.

In other news, the Center released a report on using TANF Emergency Funds to help prevent and address family homelessness and a podcast on states entering the new fiscal year.  We also updated our report on state budget shortfalls.