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Measure by Measure: State Poverty Rates
The current federal poverty measure is widely considered outmoded. It is based on a 1960s-era formula that established poverty as three times the subsistence food budget. Much has changed since the 1960s. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in the 1990s developed a method for measuring poverty that considers a wider variety of family expenses, including food, clothing, shelter, child care and medical costs. It also includes other income such as tax credits or non-cash income such as Food Stamps. Using a Census tool and the NAS formula, CLASP calculated the poverty rate in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read Measure by Measure: the Current Poverty Measure v. the NAS Poverty Measures to learn more. View poverty measures for Iowa here. (from our friends at CLASP) |
Congressional Baby Caucus Meeting Held
On November 18, 2009, Representatives Denny Rehberg (R-MT) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), co-chairs of the Congressional Baby Caucus, hosted a briefing to discuss comprehensive and coordinated systems for health care, education, and family support services for young children. They were joined by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius; Ruth Friedman from the House Committee on Education and Labor staff; Billie Warford, former Director of the Montana Early Childhood Project at Montana State University; Barbara Gebhard from Zero to Three; and Janice Gruendel, who recently served as the Senior Advisor on Children and Youth for Governor Jodi Rell of Connecticut. You can read more about it here. | |
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Greetings!
Please take a moment to check out the information below regarding a great opportunity to learn more about the state budget and what you can do to help us make sure we look at all aspects of the budget - both the expenditure side and the revenue side.
I hope all of you have an opportunity to spend some time with family and friends this upcoming holiday season. There is a lot to be thankful for! We also have a lot of work to do in the coming months to make sure that those who have no voice are heard!
Best ~
Sheila Hansen |
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 Finding Our Balance Policy Summit Securing Iowa's Budget Now and For the Future
Friday, December 4, 2009, 9am to 3pm · Botanical Center · Des Moines, IA
Join us December 4th at the Botanical Center in Des Moines for a one-day fiscal policy summit hosted by the Iowa Fiscal Partnership (Child and Family Policy Center & Iowa Policy Project). The summit will examine and respond to the balance problem built into Iowa's fiscal structure and budget practices. We are bringing in national and state experts to offer their perspectives. In addition, other speakers will offer a look at various possibilities for reforms in order to create a more sustainable budget for Iowans. This event will provide information about the challenges we all face as Iowans.
PLEASE RSVP
Please respond to aberg@cfpciowa.org if you are planning to attend. Please make the subject line "Will Attend," and include your contact information (name, organization, phone, email, etc.) in the body of the email. There is no charge for this event!
The proposed agenda:
9:00am to noon
States' Responses to a National Situation: Experiences and Guidance for Action ... Jon Shure, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities... Shure will discuss the depth of the fiscal crisis affecting states, how states are responding. A particular emphasis will be on revenues and the impact of budget cuts on prolonging the recession.
Structural Budget Deficits: The Minnesota Experience ... Jay Kiedrowski, Humphrey Institute ...Kiedrowski will discuss the Minnesota Budget Trends Study Commission, Minnesota's 2010-11 general fund budget deficit of 19 percent, how the governor and legislature "fixed" the problem, and Minnesota's 17 percent budget shortfall for 2012-13. He will discuss how the structural budget deficit should be fixed.
State Policy Panel ... Senator Joe Bolkcom (Chair Ways and Means Committee), Dave Swenson (Iowa State University), Richard Doak (Greenlee School of Journalism, Iowa State University and former editorial writer The Des Moines Register), David Fisher, CEO Onthank Co., others invited ... The panel will respond to the presentations and discuss the state budget and tax policy, followed by Q&A.
Noon to 1pm ... Lunch will be provided
1:00pm to 1:30pm
Peter Fisher (Iowa Fiscal Partnership) ... The Revenue Side of Iowa's Budget - An Introduction to Tax Expenditures... An outline of Iowa's budget growth over the last decade in contrast with the growth in tax expenditures, including tax equity and recognized tax principles. 1:30pm to 2:00pm
Breakout Sessions on Iowa-specific tax and budget issues including personal income tax reform, business tax credits, corporate tax loopholes, budget transparency, and the future implications of budget-induced cuts.
2:00pm to 2:30pm
Iowa Stakeholder Responses ... State Policy Panel from human needs organizations, environmental groups, academia and other constituencies will respond to the day's events.
2:30pm to 3:00pm
Wrap-Up by Jon Shure ... Final thoughts summarizing the day. |
Early Learning Webinars
Have you heard about Iowa State University Extension's webinars? Early childhood professionals can now participate in online learning that is convenient, cost effective and easy. Visit the Early Learning Webinar Website: www.extension.iastate.edu/childcare/earlylearning for more information including upcoming webinar dates & topics.
Webinars are live, educational presentations transmitted over the Web with the ability for the audience to ask questions and discuss topics with presenters.
Cost effective & convenient
· No travel
· No substitutes
· No late nights
· Participate from any computer with Internet access
· $20 class fee per topic, per person
Easy
· Log into session
· Participate in 90-minute session (offered beginning at either 1:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Central Time)
· Complete simple online follow-up worksheet
High Quality Education
· Instructors are faculty and program specialists with Iowa State University Extension
Credit
· 2 hours credit for Iowa Department of Human Services professional development requirements for licensed or registered child care programs
· 2 hours credit for Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
· .2 CEUs from Iowa State University (additional $10) |
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