skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Family Advocates: State Budget Cuts Hurt Kids, Economy

play audio
Play

Wednesday, March 7, 2012   

PHOENIX – Child and family advocates say spending cuts in budget proposals from the governor and Legislature not only hurt kids and their families, but also the state's economy.

Children's Action Alliance President Dana Naimark says the waiting list for Arizona's KidsCare health program has grown to 130,000 low-income children since an enrollment freeze was imposed two years ago. For less than $7 million in state support, she says, that freeze can be lifted.

"Medical debt is actually a major cause of home foreclosure and family bankruptcy. So, by lifting the freeze on KidsCare, we prevent those financial crises, we strengthen our health care system; we make kids healthier and more successful, and we grow jobs in our community."

Naimark notes that the money needed to restore KidsCare is less than the amount of two tax cuts already signed into law this year by Gov. Jan Brewer.

Budget proposals from the Republican governor and Legislature also continue cuts in child care subsidies for low-income families, especially single moms. As CEO of the UMOM New Day Center, a homeless shelter, Darlene Newsom says the waiting list for that program is now up to 8,000.

"And I don't think anybody in the state will argue that we all want people to work and we all want people to support themselves – and how are they going to be able to do that if they can't afford child care?"

A side effect of the funding cuts has been the loss of some 3,000 jobs in the child care industry, adds Newsom.

Arizona is losing $45 million in federal money that helps pay for Child Protective Services. While the Legislature's budget keeps state funding the same, Naimark says she supports Gov. Brewer's plan to increase funding by the same amount.

"If we don't replace those dollars with state funds, that means our lawmakers are once again cutting – cutting protection to abused and neglected children."

Naimark says she also supports the governor's plan for an extra $50 million for elementary schools to help kids achieve third-grade reading standards.



get more stories like this via email

more stories
A report from the Tennessee HealthCare Campaign recommended the federal government needs to strengthen 340B drug pricing and other federal negotiation mechanisms to make needed medicines more readily available and less expensive for hospitals to purchase and administer. (Spotmatikphoto/AdobeStock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …


Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…


Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

Social Issues

play sound

A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …

More than six in 10 Americans favor keeping the abortion pill mifepristone available in the U.S. as a prescription drug, while over a third are opposed, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New research shows more than six in 10 abortions in the U.S. last year were medically induced, and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto - D-NV - is …

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …

Social Issues

play sound

Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021