Salem-News.com Poverty articles Page 36

New Data Shows Oregon`s Wealthiest Pulling Away From the Rest

Group says policies should promote opportunities for all Oregonians.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - The income gap that separates Oregon's wealthiest families from the rest of the state's households has widened dramatically over the past two decades, according to a new study.

Between the late '80s and the middle of this decade, Oregon experienced the second highest increase in the gap between the incomes of the richest and middle-income families.

Kevin F. Walker is Named New President and CEO of the Northwest Area Foundation

Walker to lead Foundation in new strategic direction.

(ST. PAUL, Minn.) - Today the board of directors of the Northwest Area Foundation announced the selection of Kevin F. Walker as the new president and CEO of the 74-year-old organization.

Walker replaces Karl Stauber, who resigned in June 2007 to become president and CEO of the Danville Regional Foundation in Danville, Virginia. Kari Schlachtenhaufen was named interim president in July 2007 and will continue to serve in that position until Walker joins the Foundation May 19th.

UN Says Agricultural Neglect in Asia Leaves Hundreds of Millions in Poverty

The 2008 survey, entitled “Sustaining Growth and Sharing Prosperity,” calls for revitalization of agriculture through a focus on improving agricultural productivity and market orientation.

(GENEVA) - Chronic neglect of agriculture in Asia and the Pacific has left over 200 million people in extreme poverty amid rising prices for foodstuffs and despite robust growth in other sectors, according to a United Nations report released today.

The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2008, produced by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), says that 218 million people – a third of the region's poor, largely living in rural areas – could be lifted out of poverty by raising agricultural productivity.

A Tax System that Matches Oregon Values

It's time for Oregon legislators to establish a new set of priorities for Oregon, priorities that better match the values of Oregonians.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - This tax season, a minimum wage worker who was employed full-time last year and raising one child will pay about $321 in state income taxes. That's equivalent to the cost of about a month's worth of food based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

For a single parent working at minimum wage $321 is a lot of money, especially when you compare it to the income tax bill that Intel Corporation, with $9 billion in profits, likely paid last year: 10 bucks.

Oregon Will Randomly Draw Names From 91,675 Medical Coverage Applicants

Across Oregon, more than 200 outreach sites will be available to help people complete applications.

(SALEM, Ore.) - After five weeks, the Oregon Health Plan reservation list attracted the names of 91,675 uninsured Oregonians by the time it closed Friday at midnight. Final numbers were tallied over the weekend.

The reservation list for the Health Plan's Standard benefit package, which insures a limited number of low-income adults who don't qualify for traditional Medicaid, had been open for people to sign up since January 28th.

Angelina Jolie Seeks Increased U.S. Aid for Iraq War Refugees

She is working with the United Nations, and says helping the refugees will help other efforts not be in vain.

(BAGHDAD, Iraq) - Angelina Jolie has written an emotional letter to U.S. government, asking to step up their efforts to help the innocent victims in Iraq, who are now away from their homes.

The popular 32-year old star is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR), so she claims America has an ethical duty to assist Iraq war refugees.

Economic Inequality Reemerges, Opportunity Withers

One recent study reported that the wealthiest 1 percent of American families own half the country's financial assets, such as stocks and bonds.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - This political campaign season has witnessed vigorous debate on whether to make permanent tax cuts favoring the richest Americans.

At long last, the spotlight has begun to shine on the resurgence of economic inequality, which is undermining the country's promise of being a land of opportunity.

Senate Commerce Committee Passes Legislation to Help Families Facing Foreclosure.

HB 3630 severely restricts foreclosure "rescue" schemes; requires plain language.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Senate Commerce Committee in Salem approved HB 3630 this morning by a unanimous vote. They say the bill will help Oregon families facing foreclosure by cracking down on mortgage "rescue" scams.

Swamped Phone Lines Evidence of Demand for Medical Coverage

The number of people we can enroll in Standard is small compared with the estimated 457,000 Oregon adults who lack medical coverage.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The woman on the phone said she had no health insurance, and she wouldn’t be eligible for Medicare coverage for another couple of years. She said she takes good care of herself and is in good health, but her statement was nevertheless startling.

"I haven’t seen a doctor since 1995," she said. Nearly one Oregonian in six lacks health insurance and, although some are healthy and believe they don’t need it, many are desperate for coverage.

Op Ed: `Supply-Side` Failures
Forcing International
Economic Remediation

U.S. 'Stimulus' Falls Short, Avoids Real Issues & Solutions; 'Next-Steps' Demanded for Consideration Suggested.

(BEND, Ore.) - The economic consequences of longtime 'supply-side' failures to control finance-industry operations, corruption and distorted economic policies have finally come home to roost.