BEYOND THE NUMBERS
In Case You Missed It...
This week at CBPP, we released a statement from CBPP President Robert Greenstein on the death of Representative John Lewis, stating that to honor his legacy, we must pursue his vision of a more just America.
Our analyses this week focused on state budgets and taxes, food assistance, poverty and inequality, housing, family income support, health, federal taxes, and the economy.
- On state budgets and taxes, Michael Leachman explained that Senate Republicans’ reported economic relief plan only offers states nearly meaningless “flexibility” and would pressure schools to reopen. Wesley Tharpe showed why states and localities need more federal aid to avert the deepening budget crisis.
- On food assistance, Dottie Rosenbaum described how a SNAP boost would capitalize on the program’s effectiveness and ability to respond to need. She also urged Congress to lift the cap on SNAP’s appropriation. Richard Kogan, Rosenbaum, and Zoë Neuberger outlined how to protect SNAP and child nutrition programs from appropriations lapses.
- On poverty and inequality, Sharon Parrott, Arloc Sherman, Joseph Llobrera, Alicia Mazzara, Jennifer Beltrán, and Michael Leachman reported that more relief is needed to alleviate hardship as households struggle to afford food and pay rent.
- On housing, Ann Oliva warned that HUD’s proposed rule would allow for discrimination against transgender people. Peggy Bailey explained that rolling back the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule will undermine housing anti-discrimination efforts. Sonya Acosta, Anna Bailey, and Peggy Bailey advocated for extending the CARES Act eviction moratorium combined with rental assistance to promote housing stability.
- On family income support, LaDonna Pavetti interviewed LIFT CEO Michelle Rhone-Collins on delivering human services during COVID-19. Pavetti and other members of LIFT detailed hardships among Black and Latina mothers during the pandemic.
- On health, Aviva Aron-Dine, Kyle Hayes, and Matt Broaddus warned that despite rising need, Medicaid is at risk for cuts. We updated our sabotage watch tracking the Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act.
- On federal taxes, Chuck Marr, Stephanie Hingtgen, Arloc Sherman, Katie Windham, and Kris Cox reported that temporarily expanding the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit would deliver effective stimulus and help avert a poverty spike.
- On the economy, we updated our backgrounder on how many weeks of unemployment compensation are available.
Chart of the Week — Black and Latino Households Likelier to Experience Food Insufficiency During Pandemic
A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts this past week. Here are some of the highlights:
Majority of public schools have physical barriers that limit access for people with disabilities
ABC News
July 24, 2020
26 million Americans are going hungry amid the pandemic. What to do if you’re one of them
CNBC
July 23, 2020
With pandemic far from over, more federal help needed to protect health and economy
Bangor Daily News
July 22, 2020
Rent relief funds quickly overwhelmed by need
Marketplace
July 22, 2020
End of $600 Unemployment Bonus Could Push Millions Past the Brink
New York Times
July 21, 2020
Parents really need help from Congress
CNN
July 21, 2020
To survive financial storm of virus, states turn to Congress
Associated Press
July 20, 2020
Amid a Deadly Virus and Crippled Economy, One Form of Aid Has Proved Reliable: Food Stamps
New York Times
July 19, 2020
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