Budget Policy & Priorities / Public News Service

An AARP Maine survey finds Democratic Gov. Janet Mills with a narrow lead over Republican challenger, former Gov. Paul LePage, 51% to 46%. Among voters 50+, the race is tied at 48%, with women voters 50+ giving Mills the slight lead. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, October 7, 2022

Older Voters: A Formidable Factor in Maine Gubernatorial Race

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and her challenger, former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, both are courting votes from Maine's largest contingency -- …

Businesses in Bellingham have displayed some of the origami butterflies that are part of a campaign called

Thursday, October 6, 2022

WA Community Urges Creation of Immigrant Resource Center

Community members in northwest Washington are gathering support for an immigrant resource center. In September, Democrats in Whatcom County …

Not all states have updated their laws to allow public employees such as teachers to qualify for Social Security benefits. Wisconsin is one of the states to have taken such action. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, October 6, 2022

WI Educator: Social Security Vital for Eligible Teachers

Wisconsin is one of 33 states allowing Social Security benefits to be extended to teachers. As the future of the program is debated, a retired …

Critics of Arizona's long-term care system are pushing state legislators for more money and staff for the state Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. (godfather/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, October 6, 2022

AZ Seniors List Social Security, Long-Term Care Among Top Midterm Issues

New polling has revealed older Arizonans, who make up more than half the state's registered voters, are more likely to support candidates with strong …

Health experts say child neglect can result in developmental delays, along with behavioral and emotional issues. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Researchers Link Medicaid Expansion with Child-Neglect Reduction

As South Dakota voters prepare to consider a proposed Medicaid expansion, emerging research suggests giving these programs a bigger reach can lead to …

Americans have had to pay two to three times more for their medications than people in other countries pay for the same drugs. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Lower Drug Prices Expected After Biden Medicare Move

Some 930,000 Colorado Medicare recipients will save money on medications starting next year, thanks to provisions in President Joe Biden's Inflation …

More than 65 million people, or more than one in every six U.S. residents, collected Social Security benefits in January, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (Nick Youngson/Pix4free)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Social Security Benefits Expected to Increase, But Challenges Remain

Social Security benefits could see their highest increase in several decades, but those advocating for beneficiaries say there is still plenty of …

At the beginning of 2023, lawmakers will head to Olympia for their long, 105-day session. (SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

College Staffers Lay Out Priorities for WA Legislative Session

Community and technical college faculty members are preparing for the legislative session in Olympia, and among the top priorities for the American …

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients in 2022 was 5.9%. There have been automatic COLA adjustments since 1975 based on the Consumer Price Index. (Larryhw/Adobe Stock)

Social Security Recipients Anticipate Boost in Monthly Benefits

About 70 million Americans could soon see what some are predicting as a sizable increase in Social Security benefits for 2023, which would mean …

The U.S. Postal Service has more than 650,000 employees nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Postal Union Leaders Look Ahead to Holiday Crunch

The U.S. Postal Service is hiring 28,000 seasonal employees for the holidays. Union leaders in Iowa say they're mindful of the need for strong …

In Minnesota, an estimated 64-thousand people care for older parents, spouses, children and adults with disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

Caregivers to Candidates: Don't Forget About Us This Election

Issues such as crime and safety are getting a lot of attention on the campaign trail in Minnesota, but those who have taken on the role of family …

A new report by the Massachusetts Teachers Association shows the Commonwealth has the fastest-growing price tag for public college, and the second-fastest growth in student debt, nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Students Want College and University Debt Forgiveness, Too

Students bolstered by recent student debt forgiveness say their next challenge is canceling the debt carried by colleges and universities, which also …

According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly benefit is $1,542.22. (Adobe Stock)

Social Security Benefits to See Big Jump, But Concerns, Debates Linger

Social Security benefits again could see their highest increase in several decades, but those advocating for beneficiaries in Wisconsin and elsewhere …

According to the Recovery Ecosystem Index Mapping Tool, 61.8% of drug-related deaths between 2015 and 2019 in the state of Virginia were white people with at least a high school education, ages 15 to 64. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

New Tool Maps Substance-Use Recovery Hotspots

As part of National Recovery Month, a new tool identifies different areas in the U.S. in need of a stronger recovery system for people dealing with …

Agriculture experts say improving soil health on farmland is one of several components to reducing emissions from conventional farming. (Adobe Stock)

IA Gets Big Chunk of 'Climate-Smart' Farming Pie

Agriculture researchers say if the U.S. wants more farmers to adopt climate-friendly practices, they will need to be offered some proven incentives…

In the 2007-2008 school year, New York City was set to implement a plan to limit class sizes to 25 students by the 2011-2012 school year. However, the plan hasn't yet come to fruition. (Adobe Stock)

New Law to Cap Class Sizes in NYC Schools

Class sizes in New York City schools will be limited by 2028 - the result of a new state law. The law will cap Kindergarten through third-grade …

According to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, co-ops power 56% of the nation's landmass. (Adobe Stock)

Missouri Electric Co-ops Poised to Benefit from Inflation Reduction Act

Within the Inflation Reduction Act are provisions to help rural electric co-ops in new ways. Rural electricity generation often is structured as a …

Roughly 50% of small-business owners in the United States offer health insurance, but some worry about being able to keep it if costs continue to rise. (Adobe Stock)

Health-Care Subsidy Extension a Relief for WI Small Businesses

Average Affordable Care Act premiums in Wisconsin would have been 56% higher this year without temporary subsidies from the federal government…

IA Small Businesses Get a Lifeline with ACA Credit Extension

Average Affordable Care Act premiums in Iowa would have been 72% higher this year without temporary subsidies from the federal government, and small-…

The pilot program in the CHIPS Act is based on legislation known as the RECOMPETE Act, written by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash. (Sherman Cahal/Adobe Stock)

An Asset for Distressed Rural Communities in PA

A little-known facet of the CHIPS and Science Act, passed in Congress this summer to boost the semiconductor industry, could benefit areas of rural …

About 67% of firefighters in the United States are volunteers, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council. (automatic6517/Pixabay)

Volunteer Firefighter Shortage Spurs MA Departments into Action

If you dial 911, it is more than likely a volunteer firefighter will respond to your emergency, but in Massachusetts, there are not enough volunteers…

New technology can pinpoint methane sources to within 15 feet, and using a high-resolution imagery, can connect plumes to individual pieces of equipment. (Adobe Stock)

New Maps Expose Methane 'Super-Emitter' Sites

A new study mapping methane pollution across five oil and gas production basins in states including Colorado found a small number of sites account for…

Advocates for the poor say the Covid pandemic revealed effective tools to reduce poverty in America. (Adobe Stock)

We Know What Works: How Covid Showed Ways to End Poverty

Childhood poverty was cut nearly in half during the Covid pandemic due to expanded federal programs like the child tax credit, and stimulus payments…

Analysts say had the federal government not temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit, child poverty would have fallen to 8.1% last year, rather than 5.2%. (Adobe Stock)

Policy Expert: Good News on Poverty Should Be the Norm

On the heels of a promising poverty report, there are renewed calls to make permanent certain pandemic policies that helped struggling families in …

Three in four good-paying jobs in Colorado require a college degree or other post-secondary credentials. (Adobe Stock)

Deep Data Dive Finds Cost Biggest Barrier for Native Students

The biggest obstacle facing Indigenous students completing college degrees is cost, according to a new collaborative study by the National Native …

Research shows around a quarter of Americans find it difficult to afford prescription drugs because of high out-of-pocket costs. (Adobe Stock)

Biden’s Insulin Cap is a Start, But WV Residents Can’t Afford Other Prescription Meds

The Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Joe Biden last month caps the cost of insulin at $35 per month for seniors who have Medicare…

Wyoming to Receive $25 Million for Orphan Wells Under Infrastructure Bill

President Joe Biden's bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is expected to bring more than 300 jobs to Wyoming to clean up and plug so-cal…

Student-loan advocacy groups have called on the Education Department to audit the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/ Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Student-Loan Forgiveness Not Doing Enough to Address Racial Equity Gap

The Biden administration's recent move to cancel some student debt is welcome news to many, but challenges remain for others. The racial equity gap …

Supporters of boosting wages for childcare workers in North Dakota say low pay is fueling the lack of available care. They say some families report traveling 80 miles roundtrip to bring their children to a provider. (Adobe Stock)

Guarded Optimism Surrounds ND Child Care Plan

Advocates for expanding child care in North Dakota are responding to the governor's proposal to improve access across the state. They said it is a …

A new statewide poll in South Dakota showed a majority of likely voters, including 94% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans, don't want the state to hinder implementation of Medicaid expansion if voters approve the idea this fall. (Adobe Stock)

Latest Poll Shows Continued Support for Medicaid Expansion in SD

New poll results released today showed a majority of South Dakota voters support the expansion of Medicaid. This fall, South Dakotans will be asked …

In 2020-21, nearly 90% of charter school funding from state, local and federal sources came from mandatory tuition payments from school districts, according to the Keystone Center for Charter Change. (V. Yakobchuk/Adobe Stock)

PA School-Board Groups Advocate for Charter-School Funding Changes

A Pennsylvania group made up of members of locally-elected, volunteer school boards across the state is urging the General Assembly to take action to …

More than 75% of democratic voters say the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade makes them more likely to vote, according to an NPR/Marist Poll. (Adobe Stock)

KY Voter Registration Deadline is Oct. 11, Abortion Amendment on Ballot

With only four weeks left before the state's voter-registration deadline, advocacy groups say they are sounding the alarm on a ballot initiative …

Critics of a draft proposal to expedite the permitting process for energy projects say it would open up more oil and gas drilling on public lands, on and offshore, running counter to the nation's efforts to curb climate change. (Bob Wick/Bureau of Land Management/Flickr)

Elected Officials Condemn Proposal to Fast-Track Energy Permits

Local officials concerned about climate change are urging Democrats to scuttle a deal reached with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., to pass a bill to fast-…

According to a New York State Comptroller audit, out of 563 schools previously cited for not having one of the Department of Education's six mental health programs, 30% did not have a social worker. (Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

NY Experiencing Shortage of School Social Workers

School districts across the state of New York are facing a shortage of social workers. According to an audit by the state comptroller's office…

Supporters of managed grazing say grass-based farms and ranches are an important strategy for introducing new farmers and ranchers to livestock, because they're better for an operation's bottom line. (Adobe Stock)

WI Farmers to Get New Support for 'Managed Grazing'

Managed grazing is one of several ways farmers can implement climate-friendly practices, and after a lengthy absence, a key source of federal aid has …

During the COVID-19 pandemic, food pantries provided more than 60 million Americans with nutritious food. (aerogondo/Adobe Stock)

Inflation Brings Higher Demand, Fewer Supplies for Utah Food Pantries

During the pandemic, food pantries were a lifeline for thousands of Utah families experiencing hard times. Rising inflation, however, is making it …

Ohio's labor market has recovered quickly after COVID-19, but the number of jobs in the state remains below the year 2000 level. (Adobe Stock)

New Ohio Labor Report Highlights Improvements and Challenges

A new report on working in Ohio offers a mixed picture of labor in the state. The annual State of Working Ohio report is out for 2022 and while …

More than 60,000 kids in Colorado can't afford school meals, but don't qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, and two out of every five Colorado families struggle to put food on the table for their children. (Adobe Stock)

Ending School Lunchline Shaming on Colorado’s November Ballot

In November, Colorado voters will have an opportunity to end a practice known as "lunch-line shaming," which drew national attention after a Colorado …

Last year, Minnesota boosted state aid for school districts, but many administrators say they're still swimming in red ink while warning of future cuts. (Adobe Stock)

As Candidates Court Voters, MN School Leaders Detail Budget Woes

Most Minnesota school districts are preparing to welcome back students next week, and some administrators are expressing growing concern over their …

Quality housing, safe neighborhoods and access to quality education are among the factors that affect residents' health outcomes within a community. (Adobe Stock)

New Grants Fuel Projects to Improve Ohio Health Outcomes

A new program in Ohio is focused on raising the voices of people in communities consistently experiencing health disparities. The Ohio Department of …

Farmers face startup costs to diversify their crop rotations, but experts say the move can mean lower overall costs over the long run. (Adobe Stock)

Old Ideas About Farming Offer New Alternatives

The resilience of the U.S. food supply to disasters has become even more important in the time of climate change. Nebraska farmers, like others…

The RECOMPETE Act establishes a federal block-grant program to empower small, economically distressed communities. (Atstock/Adobe Stock)

RECOMPETE Act Could Bring New Jobs to Rural Michigan

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities a leg up when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act, passed last month, aims to …

A recipient of guaranteed income from Springboard to Opportunities' Magnolia Mother's Trust. The program gives $1,000 per month for 12 months to families headed by Black women living in federally subsidized housing. (Instagram/Springboard to Opportunities)

Guaranteed Income: Blueprint for a Stronger Safety Net

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for Florida News Connection reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News …

West Virginia has the potential to create more than 1,000 solar energy jobs, and nearly 3,000 energy efficiency jobs by 2030 and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, according to data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act: A Pathway to Transition WV from Coal

West Virginia residents stand to gain from the tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act. The legislation, supported by Sen. Joe Manchin…

With more certainty surrounding federal tax credits, supporters of renewable energy say developers will give the green light to more projects in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

Measuring the Inflation Reduction Act's Economic Potential for ND

The Inflation Reduction Act has made headlines for clean energy provisions and prescription drug cost reform for Medicare recipients. A labor leader …

Last year, Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. Smaller, rural communities want to be sure they aren't forgotten as those funds are allocated. They're hopeful an economic development provision in the CHIPS Act will even things out. (Adobe Stock)

Pilot Program Within CHIPS Act Could Help with Rural WI Development

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities a leg up when applying for federal dollars. Municipal leaders in Wisconsin say this …

Last year, Congress approved a massive infrastructure bill. But rural community advocates say it's sometime hard to compete with bigger cities for that kind of funding. New development grants in the CHIPS Act are meant to create more fairness. (Adobe Stock)

Rural MN Could See Economic Jolt from CHIPS Act

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities in Minnesota and elsewhere a boost when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act…

Projects like expanding broadband in rural areas will be available to communities under the infrastructure package passed last year. (mitgirl/Adobe Stock)

OR Rural Economies Get Assist in CHIPS Act

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities in Oregon and elsewhere a boost when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act…

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