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POLICY INSIGHT
BEYOND THE NUMBERS

In Case You Missed It…

| By CBPP

This week at CBPP, we focused on housing, the federal budget and taxes, poverty and inequality, state budgets and taxes, and Social Security.

  • On housing, we issued an explainer detailing why Congress should not expand the Moving to Work demonstration without significant reforms.  Robert Greenstein issued a statement raising serious concerns regarding the Senate Transportation-Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill.  Douglas Rice recapped our recent forum on the role of neighborhoods in persistent poverty.
  • On the federal budget and taxes, Chuck Marr urged lawmakers to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit for childless adults, as both President Obama and House Speaker Ryan favor.  Isaac Shapiro summarized his new report revealing that funding for housing, health, and social services block grants has fallen dramatically over time.
  • On poverty and inequality, LaDonna Pavetti pointed to research showing that welfare reform’s work requirements haven’t brought people to stable employment.  Elizabeth McNichol described a Supreme Court case involving unions that could affect income inequality.  We updated our chart book on the accomplishments of the safety net.
  • On state budgets and taxes, Jon Shure explained why the Tax Foundation’s “State Business Tax Climate Index” is a misleading gauge of state tax systems.   Michael Mitchell listed four reasons why states and localities now rely more on criminal justice user fees.
  • On Social Security, Paul Van de Water highlighted his remarks at the National Disability Forum on whether the Social Security Administration should change the way it considers vocational factors in deciding applicants’ eligibility for Disability Insurance.

Chart of the Week: Total Funding of Housing, Health, and Human Services Block Grants

A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts recently. Here are some highlights:

Governors See the Benefits of Medicaid Expansion
Real Clear Policy
November 18, 2015

We’re Living Longer. That’s Great, Except for Social Security.
New York Times
November 17, 2015

'Triggers' Cut State Taxes; But Are They Good Policy?
Pew Charitable Trusts
November 16, 2015

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