Thursday, September 26, 2019

Census: US Inequality Grew, Including in Heartland States


Click here for the report.

Source: The New York Times

Statement from Jennifer Jones Austin on U.S. Census
Bureau's Survey of Poverty and Inequality in New York City

Jennifer Jones Austin, a child and family advocate, is Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA).

“Today’s release by the U.S. Census Bureau of local poverty statistics indicates that New York City residents experienced reductions in poverty and increases in median household income from 2017 to 2018. Any reduction in the number of people living in poverty is heartening; yet a cursory look at the data reveals that we are only at the beginning of the journey to economic equity for all New Yorkers.

"As expected, increases in the minimum wage have improved economic conditions for workers of color and across boroughs: Black, Asian, and Latinx residents experienced meaningful increases in median household incomes. Yet Black and Latinx workers incomes are nearly half that of White workers. Moreover, income inequality has not budged, and remains higher than in 2006, prior to the Great Recession. New York state has the highest income inequality in the nation, and New York City’s level exceeds that of the State.

"The progress that has been made is critical, but let us not allow it to define our aspirations. If we are to achieve lasting economic progress for all, we must press on. In many ways, New York City is leading the nation in progressive public policy, but Washington is in need of a dramatic course correction. That is why we at FPWA are working with the City’s congressional delegation to right-side a decade of federal budget austerity, to advance the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit through the Working Families Tax Relief Act, and to increase investments in affordable housing.”

FPWA is an anti-poverty policy and advocacy organization committed to advancing economic opportunity and upward mobility for low-income New Yorkers. Having a prominent New York presence for nearly 100 years, FPWA has long served New York City's social service sector, providing grants to help individuals and families meet their basic needs, and advocating for fair public policies on behalf of people in need and the agencies that serve them. FPWA’s member network of 170 human-service and faith-based organizations reach more than 1.5 million people in New York’s communities each year.

Source: Mercury

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