Salem-News.com Poverty articles Page 37

Bush`s Budget Puts the Death Squeeze on Public Programs

Experts say that in spite of the nation's darkening economic clouds, brought on by decreasing tax revenues, Congress will probably not take action this year to stem the bleeding.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The spiraling growth of Medicare and the high cost of renewing the President's tax cuts are among the reasons that Democrats anticipate inheriting a record budget deficit that will likely break the 413 billion record set four years ago.

George W. Bush's plan that will be handed over to lawmakers tomorrow, will further squeeze the funds alloted for public education, health, housing and anti-poverty programs.

OCPP Finds Racial Pattern in Oregon`s Subprime Lending

OCPP's findings are consistent with those of a report released last year by six housing research and advocacy groups that examined five cities where Washington Mutual lends.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - As the Oregon legislature prepares to consider stronger regulation of the mortgage loan industry, a new analysis by the Oregon Center for Public Policy has found a racial pattern in the state's subprime lending.

A state Senate committee hearing on SB 1090, which proposes to better regulate Oregon's mortgage industry, is scheduled for tomorrow.
At all income levels, Oregon's African American and Hispanic borrowers are more likely than whites to have received subprime loans, said OCPP.

Economic Stimulus Package Leaves Oregon Exposed

Oregon could lose about $90 million in revenue if bonus depreciation is in the stimulus package.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - While the tentative deal reached yesterday between the White House and House leaders on an economic stimulus package contains laudable elements, Oregonians should worry because it fails to provide for direct federal aid to states and threatens to reduce Oregon's revenue stream, according to the Oregon Center for Public Policy.

"Oregon would be in a much stronger position to weather a recession if the economic stimulus package shored up key state services," said OCPP policy analyst Janet Bauer. "It would keep state money flowing through the economy, providing a stimulus, and help keep the most vulnerable Oregonians on their feet."

Soaring Global Wheat Prices Increase Hunger for Millions of Afghans

WFP asks for $77 million in U.S. Aid.

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Afghanistan today urged the international community to fund a sharp increase in needed food assistance for poor persons and families in Afghanistan who cannot afford to pay soaring local prices for wheat, a staple of the Afghan diet.

Global food prices, particularly of wheat, have risen to all-time highs in the last 12 months, and have adversely affected millions of Afghans, for whom wheat flour is the food staple used in making bread.

More to Qualify for Oregon Health Plan as Poverty Line Rises

At its peak, the Oregon Health Plan served 132,000 poor people, its enrollment has fallen to 19,000.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - The poverty line inched up today with the federal government's release of the 2008 Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, affecting eligibility for a number of federal and state programs such as the Oregon Health Plan.

"The annual increase in the poverty level acknowledges that the rise in the cost of living makes it harder for working families to make ends meet and makes more people eligible for a variety of public benefits," said Michael Leachman, policy analyst with the Oregon Center for Public Policy.

OCPP Finds that Cutting Income Tax on Capital Gains Would Harm Nearly All Oregonians

"Oregon's most serious economic problem is not sub par growth, but the growing gap between the haves and have-nots" - OCPP analyst Michael Leachman.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - With the state having begun a top-to-bottom review of its tax system, a report released today makes the case that cutting the existing income tax on capital gains -- an idea often bandied about -- would harm all but the wealthiest Oregonians.

The report, prepared by the Oregon Center for Public Policy, identified seven reasons why giving special treatment to income from capital gains is a "terrible idea." It called the income tax on capital gains "the best player on the income tax team," generating strong revenue for the state during good economic times and providing support during downturns.

Public Policy Group Says Tax System Keeps Oregon Afloat

The Oregon Center for Public Policy says many other states drown in red ink.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - While nearly half the states in the country will face budget shortfalls next year or the year after, Oregon is projected to collect just enough revenue to stay above water, according to analysts at the Oregon Center for Public Policy.

Oregon escaped mention in a report released today identifying 24 states confronting budget problems. Of that group, 13 face a combined budget shortfall of at least $23 billion for fiscal year 2009.

Depression Stalks Oregon Residents who Struggle for Food

Suicidal thoughts are also much more common among the food insecure, according to the report Empty Cupboards, Empty Feelings.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - Oregonians struggling to put food on the table are more than twice as likely to suffer from depression than those with no such worries, according to a new report released today by the Oregon Center for Public Policy.

In response to a statewide telephone survey, one in three adults from households facing limited or uncertain availability of food -- what the federal government calls "food insecurity" -- reported being depressed, said the Silverton-based institute.

Happy Holidays: Now Go Eat Your Bootstraps

The plight of this Nevada journalist is a reminder of how distorted the government's point of view has become when it comes to accurately assessing poverty levels.

(CARSON CITY, Nv.) - A few years ago, I wrote an editorial about how nothing bad is supposed to happen on your birthday. It was about how when I was 14-years old, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on my birthday, November 22, 1963.

I have worked for 40 years of my life, as a secretary and as a writer/editor. I am a college graduate. And have always been able to take care of myself. I am approaching my 58th birthday on Thanksgiving.

Legal Funding for Poor Announced by Oregon Senators

The Senate recently awarded $390 million in new funding for the Legal Services Corporation.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - At the urging of Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden, the Senate Appropriations Committee announced the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) will receive $390 million in funds for 2008, an increase of $42 million from the 2007 budget.

The funds will help LSC provide qualified low income individuals and families that have suffered from economic hardship, natural disasters or a national emergency access to the legal system.