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Federal prosecutors in NY and DC resign after refusing to drop Mayor Eric Adams charges; IN weighs Bitcoin bet in state investments; In rural east KY, communities find ways to boost kids early learning; and start date for MN's paid leave law is now up for debate.

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Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Antipoverty community: Poverty line is garbage

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Monday, October 28, 2024   

Advocates in the antipoverty community said lawmakers are not doing enough to help people escape poverty.

They said the inaction is increasing the number of ALICE families in Arkansas and nationwide. ALICE families are Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed, which means they are working but do not earn enough money to cover their expenses.

Wade Rathke, founder and chief organizer of the nonprofit ACORN International, said lawmakers need to adjust the federal poverty line to assist more people.

"If the poverty line doesn't reflect reality, then people suffer," Rathke stressed. "Some members of Congress have advanced a bill to more realistically set the poverty level but given the dysfunction and general election year inertia, there hasn't even been a vote."

He added many states, especially in the South, are setting benefits as low as possible.

The current federal poverty line is $31,200 a year for a family of four. According to the United Way, in 2021 about 36 million households met the criteria to be labeled ALICE. The organization has seen a significant increase in calls to its 211 call centers from people seeking help with housing, child care and utilities.

Rathke pointed out more families are suffering as pandemic subsidies are gone.

"Even working families with income over $100,000 are calling because they can't make groceries given all of household costs," Rathke reported. "Two-worker parented families have no savings or ability to handle emergencies."

Advocates said part of the problem is the cost of groceries is used to determine the poverty line but families are spending more on housing, rent and utilities.

This story is based on original reporting by Wade Rathke for The Chief Organizer Blog.


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