Fewer Americans struggled to make ends meet in 2018, but progress on income growth was felt unevenly across states as well as racial and ethnic groups, new data from the Census...
off the charts
POLICY INSIGHT
BEYOND THE NUMBERS
BEYOND THE NUMBERS
Inclusive State Policies Toward Immigrants Can Help Counter Nativist Federal Actions
August 21, 2019
The Trump Administration has launched numerous efforts – often wrapped in inflammatory, racist rhetoric — to marginalize immigrants, including community raids and deportations, the separation of children from families at the border, and rules around who may come to and stay in this country that hearken back to white supremacist ideas of who belongs here. But as our...
New Mexico Investing in Children, Advancing Equity
April 16, 2019
New Mexico policymakers are strengthening communities and families with their new budget and tax plans. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed tax reforms into law last week that reduce tax breaks for multistate corporations and the wealthiest New Mexicans, boost incomes for 200,000 low-income households, and reduce the state’s overreliance on volatile oil revenues. Policymakers paired the tax...
New State Lawmakers Should Focus on Building Equitable, Inclusive State Economies
November 9, 2018
Voters in a number of states approved ballot measures on Tuesday that should substantially enhance equity and inclusion. As newly elected governors — several of whom campaigned on boosting funding for schools and health — and legislators join with returning lawmakers in January, they should advance policies that ensure everyone has the chance to fulfill their potential regardless of where they...
States Should Adopt Policies to Boost Progress on Poverty and Income
September 14, 2018
After several years of lower poverty rates, higher income, and broader health coverage, gains slowed — and in some cases stalled — in the states in 2017, new Census data show. For example, fewer states reduced their share of people below the federal poverty line (about $25,000 for a family of four), according to...
States Should Adopt Policies to Help Dismantle Racial Barriers to Broader Prosperity
September 13, 2018
The benefits from the nation’s continuing economic recovery haven’t been shared equally across racial and ethnic groups, and even the gains that we’ve seen are slowing, new Census Bureau data show. That heightens the need for states to advance policies that can tear down racial and ethnic barriers to economic opportunity.
Building strong, thriving state economies and communities...
States Boosting Opportunity for Young Immigrants by Expanding College Access
July 13, 2018
Lawmakers in several states this spring put a college education within reach for students who are undocumented, boosting opportunity for striving young people and helping strengthen their economies over the long term. These actions show that even at a time of turmoil for federal immigration policy, states can take an inclusive approach that will benefit all residents.
For example, in...
Maryland Likely to Expand EITC to Young Workers Without Kids
April 24, 2018
Maryland lawmakers this month passed, and Governor Larry Hogan is expected to support, legislation to expand the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to an estimated 40,000 more low-income Marylanders by lowering the eligibility age for workers not raising children in their home from 25 to 18. That will help many young workers who are just entering the workforce and supporting themselves on very low wages.
Tax Day 2018: Top State Tax Charts
April 11, 2018
To accompany our series of charts on federal tax issues, these charts put state taxes — and the services they support — into context.
State taxes help lay the foundation for economic opportunity and broad prosperity for families, businesses, and communities by...
On Equal Pay Day, a Look at How EITCs Help Women in Every State
April 10, 2018
Today is Equal Pay Day, when we recognize the persistent gap in earnings between women and men. It’s also an opportunity to think about things that states can do — such as adopting or increasing state earned income tax credits (EITCs), raising minimum wages, and investing in child care and paid leave — to buoy low-paid women who support themselves and their families.
Looking at full-...
