Livable Wages/Working Families / Public News Service

Data from the State of Supplemental Income report shows paying down debt, paying off student loans, saving for major life goals and covering living expenses are the top reasons for working multiple jobs. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

The benefits, pitfalls of juggling two jobs

Americans working two jobs to help with living expenses and cover some extras has become the norm. A study conducted by the company My Perfect …

Some $45 million in tax credits for home energy and efficiency upgrades have benefited more than 21,000 Mainers, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

ME benefits from $2.2 billion in federal clean energy investments

Conservation groups in Maine are calling on the state's congressional delegation to protect federal funding for clean energy technologies. A new …

There is a shortage of more than 78,000 rental homes deemed

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Advocacy groups tee up their priorities for NV Legislature

The Nevada Legislature has kicked off this week and progressive groups are sharing their top priorities. Many are asking Gov. Joe Lombardo to work …

According to the nonprofit Feeding Texas, one in six households in the state are food insecure. (Stella/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

$450 million available to feed Texas kids this summer

The final deadline is approaching for members of the Texas Legislature to decide on participating in the Summer EBT program, which provides grocery …

On average in Montana, full-time child care costs between $9,100 and $11,700 per year per child, according to Montana Advocates for Children. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Montana groups bring unique solutions to child care problems

Child care is expensive and in high demand but groups in Montana are taking creative approaches to help. Child care services in Montana currently …

One of the biggest challenges for Pennsylvania's indigent defense community is attracting and hiring qualified public defenders. (Thanksforbuying/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Public defender shortage in PA sparks hiring push

More than 60 counties in Pennsylvania have a shortage of public defenders for low-income residents who need these services. This Friday in …

Nearly half of U.S. adults said it was at least somewhat hard for them to regularly obtain and eat nutritious foods, and 54% agreed the nation is not making enough progress in making nutritious food accessible and affordable, according to a 2024 survey from Research!America and the American Heart Association. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Revive SNAP Stretch, WV growers, consumers urge

Food advocates are calling on lawmakers to help jump-start the state's SNAP Stretch program, which was paused last year due to budget constraints…

Utah's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 22.5 percentage points since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Report: Utah sits well above national average for adults' degree attainment

Utah has made noteworthy progress in increasing the number of working-age adults who hold a degree or credential beyond high school. Credentials are …

Although the Michigan Supreme Court upheld the 2018 voter initiatives for paid sick leave and a minimum-wage increase, the current Legislature has the power to reverse those laws, provided legal procedures are followed. (dennis/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

MI nonprofit opposes bill that opposes paid sick leave, wage hike

A bipartisan nonprofit group in Michigan is opposing pending legislation which would reverse a Michigan Supreme Court ruling, stripping paid sick …

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, nearly 48 million Americans provide care to an adult family member or friend, with 61% also holding jobs. (ChayTee/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Push for caregiver tax relief gains momentum in Ohio, nationally

During his campaign, President Donald Trump promised tax credits for family caregivers. With Trump now in office, advocates in Ohio and across the …

Data from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce showed, of the 2,540 students in Akron City who use EdChoice, almost 88% are

Monday, February 3, 2025

Debate intensifies over OH school vouchers as Trump advocates expansion

As Ohio's private school voucher program nears $1 billion in funding, the Trump administration is pushing to expand school choice nationwide by …

About 56% of Democrats want affordable housing for low-income Utahns, compared with 22% of Republicans. About 44% of Republicans desire affordable housing for first-time home buyers, while only 22% of Democrats feel the same way. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Cost of living, political dysfunction top concerns for Utahns

The Utah Legislature has been in session for almost two weeks and one nonprofit research organization contended in order for state lawmakers to be eff…

Arizona's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 20.8 percentage points since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Report: AZ above national average for degree attainment among adults

Arizona has made notable progress in increasing the number of working-age adults who hold a degree or credential beyond high school. According to …

Statewide, Medi-Cal provides medical and dental benefits for 38% of the population, or 14 million people. (Carlos/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

New report shows big racial gaps in use of Medi-Cal dental benefits

A new report shows what it calls a "dental divide" in the Los Angeles area - finding that only 20% to 25% of people on Medi-Cal actually use their den…

Private health insurance administrative costs in the U.S. are nearly six times higher than the costs of Canada's single payer system. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Universal ‘Medicare for All’ bill advances in CO legislature

As health insurance premiums keep rising, Colorado lawmakers are advancing a bill to look at a universal Medicare for All option. A 2020 report in …

Community action agencies are celebrating 50 years of the Earned Income Tax Credit. On average, eligible taxpayers received $2,743 from the credit in tax year 2023, according to the Internal Revenue Service. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, February 3, 2025

Expanded tax credits, free tax service help MA families get ahead

Community action agencies in Massachusetts called the state's expanded tax credits "powerful antipoverty tools" and they are offering free tax prep se…

The number of of working-age adults with degrees or credentials continues to grow, according to new data from Lumina Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, February 3, 2025

More than half of Kentuckians have a college degree or credential

Kentucky is inching closer to its goal of having 60% of residents equipped with a college degree or credential by 2030. The latest data from Lumina …

In its 2024-25 budget, Pennsylvania boosted its commitment to equitable education with a $100 million increase in special education funding, aiming to enhance resources and support for students with disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

PA Democrats push school funding, new revenue sources

Pennsylvania lawmakers return to Harrisburg on Monday, facing renewed pressure to address long-standing issues, including improving the economy and …

Many Americans with a minimum wage or low-paying job often need a second job to make ends meet. (Seika/AdobeStock)<br />

Study reveals pros, cons of New Mexicans juggling two jobs

Millions of American workers are now juggling two jobs to make ends meet, while some moonlight to pay for extras such as vacations or hobbies…

Delaware owed workers an average of $1,822 in wages, followed by Virginia with an average of $1,680. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland worst state for wage theft, study finds

An analysis of U.S. Labor Department data by financial education organization Goat Academy finds Maryland leads the nation in the average wages …

A quarter of low-income households in the United States spend more than 15% of their income on energy bills, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY Power proposes new energy efficiency programs

Eastern Kentucky's largest utility, Kentucky Power, is proposing to expand its energy efficiency programs for residential and commercial customers…

We Don't Waste serves more than 100 hunger relief organizations across Denver, and has so far saved 220 million servings of food. (Galatas)

Denver nonprofit tackles food waste, hunger

By Taylor Haelterman for Triple Pundit.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-P…

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey warned any freeze of federal funding would be

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MA educators cite chaos, fear following Trump’s directives

Massachusetts educators say President Donald Trump's threat to pause all federal grant programs has created instability for schools and their students…

Study finds juggling two jobs has benefits, pitfalls

Americans working two jobs to help with living expenses and cover some extras has become the norm. The U.S. Census shows that 25% of Midwest women …

The average cost of caring for a toddler at a Washington child-care center has increased 83% in the past decade. (ink drop/Adobe Stock)

Bill would refund WA businesses for covering child care costs

New legislation in Olympia aims to ease the burden of child-care costs for Washington families by allowing businesses to help their employees pay for …

A new bill introduced this year aims to eliminate the cap on annual retirement allowance increases for state employees, potentially increasing pension costs. (pabrady63/Adobe Stock)

MI public safety pension bills in limbo after passing House, Senate

Democrat-backed bills in Michigan addressing pensions, health-care costs and public assistance remain stalled before heading to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer …

Numerous studies have shown immigrants are far less likely to commit crimes than people born in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado legislators stand up for immigrants

As President Donald Trump makes good on his promises for mass deportation, some Colorado lawmakers are standing up to protect immigrant families now …

According to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.2% as of January 2025, slightly higher than the national rate. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Most Kentuckians unsatisfied with their jobs, wages

Kentucky's unemployment rate is higher than the national average and workers who are employed said they are unsatisfied with their pay, according to …

Bill author Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger, said she does not believe the state budget could support a larger raise for teachers. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana lawmakers back $45K minimum teacher pay

By Garrett Bergquist for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Serv…

Rural communities, low-income people and BIPOC people have the least access to health care in Arkansas. (onephoto/Adobe Stock)

Work requirements could be coming for AR Medicaid recipients

Changes could be coming for Arkansans who are on Medicaid. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is proposing to add work requirements for some Medicaid …

Nebraska raised about 10.5 million chickens in 2023, a 13% increase from 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Protecting Nebraska workers from avian flu

A bill has been introduced in Lincoln to protect workers in the agriculture sector from dangerous workplace practices and get ahead of a potential avi…

A Virginia Healthcare Association survey found that burnout and stress are major reasons for staff members leaving their jobs. (Adobe Stock)

Nursing home staffing shortages key focus for VA senior advocates

What is the quality of Virginia's nursing homes? If you ask one advocate, he says "bad." Jared Calfee, state advocacy director for AARP Virginia…

In 2000, immigrants were 2% of Kentucky's population, 2% of its workforce and 2% of its business owners. In 2022, those numbers were all up, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Wasiul Bahar/Wikimedia Commons)

Immigrant workers, business owners help grow Kentucky's economy

Kentucky's immigrant workers and business owners generate $14 billion of economic input, according to new data from the Kentucky Center for Economic …

A report by a company that offers AI assistance in building resumes, says 28% of workers have left a job due to stress or burnout. (Adobe Stock)

Study reveals heavy workloads can affect IN employee mental health

New research is finding extra responsibilities at work can take a heavy toll. A report from Scripps Health shows a link between mental health …

The MTA says ensuring minimum salaries for teachers to meet the cost of living will help improve retainment and recruitment. The job listing site SchoolSpring lists more than 3,500 open teacher positions across the state. (Adobe Stock)

Educator pay, medical leave top MA teachers union legislative priorities

Establishing minimum salaries for educators and school staff will be a top priority for the Massachusetts Teachers Association this legislative sessio…

A Rockefeller Institute study of New York's school funding formula finds changing the state poverty measure to the more recent three-year average, without other changes, will cut New York City school funding by $392 million. (Adobe Stock)

Critics: Proposed NYS funding formula shortchanges districts

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2026 education budget proposal changes school funding, and some critics say it's unfair. The formula hasn't changed in …

The City of Dallas code states landlords must provide - and maintain in working order - heating equipment capable of maintaining an indoor temperature at least 15�F warmer than the outdoor temperature. (Nimur/Adobe Stock)

TX looks at ways to protect apartment tenants during extreme weather

Extreme weather has hit Texas over the last few weeks bringing snow to many parts of the state. During cold weather, landlords are required to …

Free lunch, breakfast could soon come to all VA students

Free school lunch and breakfast may soon be the law in the Commonwealth. House Bill 1958 would require local school boards to participate in federal …

According to the Pew Research Center, six in 10 U.S. adults say they'd feel uncomfortable if their own health provider relied on artificial intelligence to do things such as diagnose disease. (Adobe Stock)

MN nurses: Patient care shouldn't come with a heavy dose of AI

Nurses in Minnesota and other parts of the country are calling attention to an issue felt by many parts of society - the growing influence of artifici…

Health providers in rural Colorado, which operate on thin margins, could see more uncompensated care costs if proposed Medicaid cuts clear Congress. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Medicaid cuts would disproportionately affect rural Coloradans

As the new Congress considers cutting Medicaid by more than $2 trillion, a new report details how the move would disproportionately affect rural …

In Peoria, Ill., 42% of the population has a credential beyond high school, although almost 65% of the jobs available in the area require a post-high school credential. (Adobe Stock)

Peoria prioritizes education to fill workforce, poverty gaps

By Laura Aka for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Illinois News Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Servic…

Less than a third of Oregonians could afford to buy a typical home in 2023. (dechevm/Adobe Stock)

Gov. Kotek's budget supports first-time homebuyer assistance

More than half of all renters in Oregon and a third of homeowners experience a housing cost burden, according to new research. Housing advocates say …

The hottest year on record was 2024, as average global temperatures continue to rise due to the use of fossil fuels. (Adobe Stock)

Worker's coalition aims to address climate emergency, economic inequality

As President Donald Trump abandons a promise the U.S. made in Paris nearly a decade ago, organized workers across Colorado are joining forces to …

In 2022, 182,000 children were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP in Nebraska, almost 53% of total Medicaid recipients in the state. Last year, Nebraska expanded eligibility for kids with special needs who live with their parents. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Medicaid cuts threaten Nebraska youth

Advocates for young Nebraskans worry proposed federal cuts could affect families who rely on Medicaid for their health care. A new national report …

Many rural residents in Alaska must travel long distances to see a doctor. Proposed cuts to the Medicaid program could slash funding for those trips, making access to care more difficult and expensive. (Adobe Stock)

Health care advocate says future of Medicaid critical for rural Alaskans

A new report finds that significant cuts proposed for Medicaid funding would disproportionately affect rural and small-town residents in Alaska and ma…

More than 400,000 people are enrolled in MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program, according to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. At least 40,000 recipients continue in an

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Rural ME braces for Medicaid cuts as lawmakers eye corporate tax breaks

Children and families in rural Maine would face the greatest harm should proposed funding cuts to the federal Medicaid program be implemented…

Nearly 41% of children in small towns and rural areas rely on Medicaid for their coverage, compared with about 38% in metro areas. (Karen Roach/Adobe Stock)

TX Medicaid recipients could be facing cuts

A study by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families showed most people who live in small towns and rural areas use Medicaid for heal…

In 2023, more than 16 million workers were represented by a union, an increase of more than 190,000. (SEIU Local 49)

Union rep: SEIU joining AFL-CIO will help OR workers

The Service Employees International Union is joining the AFL-CIO, a move both groups said will make it easier for more workers to unionize. SEIU is …

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