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Off the Charts Blog Post: In Case You Missed It…
September 3, 2010
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Podcast: The August Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
September 3, 2010
The jobs report for August is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone.
Duration: 2:57
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Statement by Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the August Employment Report
September 3, 2010
Today’s jobs report provided better news than expected about private-sector job creation, but the case for additional stimulus to boost a tepid economic recovery and revive the job market remains strong. The good news, as the chart below shows, is that the economy has now added private-sector jobs for eight straight months. The bad news is that adding … -
Chart Book: The Legacy of the Great Recession
Updated September 3, 2010
The United States went through its longest, and by most measures worst economic recession since the Great Depression between December 2007 and the middle of 2009. This chartbook will document the course of the economy following that recession against the background of how deep a hole the … -
Press Release: Ohio Counties Will Be Unable to Expand Successful Jobs Programs if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
A new Ohio subsidized employment program, which has provided jobs for 1,500 parents in 44 Ohio counties and 8,000 youth in 69 counties, will never reach its full potential unless Congress this fall extends the federal program that funded it, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The employment program uses federal dollars … -
Press Release: ‘Hire Colorado’ Jobs Program to End if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
Hire Colorado, a new subsidized employment program that has provided jobs for 1,600 parents in counties across the state, will shut its doors on September 30 if Congress fails this month to extend the federal program that funded it, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Most of the job placements for Hire Colorado are with … -
Press Release: Minnesota Subsidized Jobs Program Will Be Scaled Back if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
Minnesota will have to scale back a subsidized transitional jobs program that it has expanded significantly during the recession unless Congress this fall extends the TANF Emergency Fund, the federal program that helped to fund the state expansion, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The jobs program, which is operated through … -
Press Release: South Carolina Will Be Unable to Continue Successful Jobs Program if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
A new South Carolina subsidized employment program (known as the STEP program), which has provided jobs for 650 parents, will stop placing South Carolinians in jobs on September 30 unless Congress this fall extends the federal program that funded it, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The STEP program uses federal dollars … -
Press Release: Connecticut Will Be Unable to Expand Successful Jobs Programs if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
A greatly expanded Connecticut subsidized employment program, which has provided jobs for over 6,000 low-income parents and youth, will never reach its full potential unless Congress this fall extends the federal program that funded it, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The employment program uses federal dollars provided … -
Press Release: 12,000 Pennsylvania Jobs to Disappear on September 30 if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
As many as 12,000 workers in Pennsylvania could lose their jobs this month if the Senate fails to extend federal funding that allowed the state to create Way to Work, a highly successful program that subsidizes private- and public-sector jobs for unemployed parents and youth, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Way to Work … -
Press Release: 26,000 Illinois Jobs to Disappear on September 30 if U.S. Senate Fails to Extend TANF Emergency Fund
September 2, 2010
As many as 26,000 workers in Illinois could lose their jobs this month if the Senate fails to extend federal funding that allowed the state to create Put Illinois to Work, a highly successful program that subsidizes private- and public-sector jobs for unemployed parents and youth, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Put … -
Walking Away From a Win-Win-Win
September 2, 2010
An emergency jobs program through which 37 states have provided subsidized jobs for nearly 250,000 otherwise unemployed parents and youth — helping families, businesses, and communities across America weather the recession — will end September 30 unless the Senate joins the House in voting to extend it. The TANF … -
Podcast: Upcoming Debate on Middle-Class and High-Income Tax Cuts
August 31, 2010
Chuck Marr, Director of Federal Tax Policy, discusses the debate about taxes that will take center stage when Congress returns after Labor Day.
Duration: 4:08
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Video Clip: CNN Europe cites the Center on State Budget Gap Data
August 31, 2010
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Policy Basics: How Many Weeks of Unemployment Compensation Are Available?
Updated August 30, 2010
The unemployment insurance (UI) system helps many people who have lost their jobs by temporarily replacing part of their wages. (See “Policy Basics: Unemployment Insurance.”) The total number of weeks of benefits available in any particular state depends on the unemployment rate and unemployment insurance laws in the state where the person worked. The … -
Food Stamps On-Line: A Review of State Government Food Stamp Websites
Updated August 26, 2010
All states make information regarding the Food Stamp Program,[1] including their applications, state policy manuals or regulations, and general program information, available to the public via the internet. [2] The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reviewed all the states’ web pages to determine what information and services they offer regarding the Food Stamp … -
Podcast: State Budget Crisis Continues Despite Surpluses
August 24, 2010
Senior Fellow Liz McNichol discusses why some states have ended their fiscal year with budgets in the black even as the state budget crisis continues.
Duration: 3:35
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New CBO Report Finds Up to 3.3 Million People Owe Their Jobs to the Recovery Act
Updated August 24, 2010
A new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report estimates that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) increased the number of people employed by between 1.4 million and 3.3 million jobs as of June. In other words, between 1.4 million and 3.3 million people employed in June owed their jobs to the Recovery Act. This … -
Social Security Does Not Need a “Bailout”
Updated August 24, 2010
In recent months, a few commentators have sounded an alarm about the recession’s impact on Social Security’s near-term prospects, which may lead some people to think that the program faces financial problems in the next several years. Fortunately, that is not the case. Social Security continues to run annual surpluses and … -
States Should Structure Insurance Exchanges to Minimize Adverse Selection
August 17, 2010
The health reform law (the Affordable Care Act) relies primarily on states to establish health insurance exchanges — marketplaces that provide affordable, good-quality coverage options to individuals and small businesses. But it gives states substantial flexibility in how they structure the exchanges. This paper recommends four steps … -
Podcast: Social Security Reduces Poverty
August 17, 2010
Senior Fellow Paul Van de Water discusses how Social Security helps to reduce poverty.
Duration: 2:26
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2010 Medicare Trustees’ Report Shows Benefits of Health Reform and Need for Its Successful Implementation
August 16, 2010
The 2010 annual report of Medicare’s trustees clearly demonstrates that the Affordable Care Act (or ACA, the recently enacted health reform legislation) has greatly improved the financial status of the Medicare program.[1] It also shows that successful implementation of the ACA is an essential first step toward slowing … -
Johanns Amendment to Small Business Bill Would Raise Health Insurance Premiums, Increase the Ranks of the Uninsured, and Eliminate Preventive Health Funding
August 16, 2010
An amendment from Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) to small business legislation, on which the Senate will vote on September 14 — its first day back from its summer recess — would repeal a provision of the health reform law designed to raise revenue by reducing noncompliance with the nation’s tax laws. [1] While critics have … -
High-Income People Would Benefit Significantly From Extension of “Middle-Class” Tax Cuts
August 13, 2010
A fact generally overlooked in the debate over whether Congress should extend the high-income Bush tax cuts — i.e. those targeted exclusively at couples making over $250,000 and single individuals making over $200,000 — is that these households will still receive substantial tax cuts if Congress extends the so-called … -
Policy Basics: Top Ten Facts about Social Security on the Program's 75th Anniversary
August 13, 2010
President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act on August 14, 1935. As Social Security celebrates its 75th anniversary, it remains one of the nation’s most successful, effective, and popular programs. It provides a foundation of income on which workers can build to plan for their retirement. It also provides valuable social … -
What the 2010 Trustees’ Report Shows about Social Security
August 13, 2010
.style1 { font-size: x-small; } .style2 { border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; } On August 5, the Social Security Board of Trustees issued the 70th annual report on the program’s financial and actuarial status. [1] The trustees’ report shows some mild deterioration in the program’s short-term outlook … -
Failing to Extend Fiscal Relief to States Will Create New Budget Gaps, Forcing Cuts and Job Loss in at Least 34 States
Revised August 13, 2010
If Congress does not extend the enhanced Medicaid matching funds in last year’s Recovery Act, most states will cut public services or raise taxes for the fiscal year that begins July 1 by even more than they are already planning – laying off tens of thousands more teachers and other public employees, cutting education funding more … -
Social Security Keeps 20 Million Americans Out of Poverty:
August 11, 2010
Social Security benefits play a vital role in reducing poverty. Without Social Security, according to the latest available Census data (for 2008), 19.8 million more Americans would be poor. Although most of those kept out of poverty by Social Security are elderly, nearly a third are under age 65, including 1.1 million children. (See Table 1.) … -
Podcast: What Seniors Should Know About the New Health Reform Law
August 10, 2010
Policy Analyst January Angeles discusses how the new health reform law strengthens Medicare and protects seniors. Duration: 4:17
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State-By-State Numbers: Critical Fiscal Relief at Stake In Tuesday’s House Vote
August 6, 2010
States stand to lose significant amounts of fiscal relief if legislation that the Senate approved yesterday, and the House is due to take up next week, fails to become law. The level of losses is shown on a state-by-state basis in the table below. Because of the long and deep recession, states have begun their third consecutive year … -
Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the July Employment Report
August 6, 2010
Today’s jobs report shows a labor market that is still not generating enough jobs to lower the unemployment rate. Unless job creation picks up dramatically, unemployment will likely remain elevated for some time to come, as it did in the previous two recessions, though at much higher rates this time (see chart). Creating fewer than … -
Podcast: The July Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
August 6, 2010
The jobs report for July is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone. Duration: 3:01
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Statement by Robert Greenstein: Social Security Doesn’t Face an Immediate Crisis, But Policymakers Should Act to Shore Up System
August 5, 2010
The trustees’ report on Social Security shows that the program does not face an immediate crisis and that — even in the long run — will still have substantial resources to pay benefits. Nevertheless, Congress needs to restore Social Security’s long-term solvency so that it … -
Statement: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director on the Medicare Trustees' Report
August 5, 2010
The new Medicare trustees report clearly demonstrates that the Affordable Care Act (or ACA, the recently enacted health reform legislation) has strengthened the financing of the Medicare program. It also shows that slowing the growth of health care costs will require substantial additional efforts. … -
Media Briefing: Understanding the Annual Reports of the Social Security and Medicare Trustees
August 5, 2010
Executive Director Robert Greenstein and Senior Fellow Paul Van de Water discuss the annual reports of the Social Security and Medicare trustees.
Duration: 15:46
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An Update on State Budget Cuts
Updated August 4, 2010
With tax revenue still declining as a result of the recession and budget reserves largely drained, the vast majority of states have made spending cuts that hurt families and reduce necessary services. These cuts, in turn, have deepened states’ economic problems because families and businesses have less to spend. Federal … -
Extension of High-Income Tax Cuts Would Benefit Few Small Businesses; Jobs Tax Credit Would Be Better
August 3, 2010
Proponents of extending President Bush’s 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for people with incomes over $250,000 argue, in part, that allowing them to expire after 2010 would weaken the economy by hurting small businesses. In reality, however, extending the tax cuts would do little for small business because only the top 3 percent of people with … -
Podcast: Letting the High-Income Tax Cuts Expire
August 3, 2010
Chuck Marr, the Center’s Director of Federal Tax Policy, discusses why letting the high-income tax cuts expire is the proper response to the nation’s short and long-term challenges.
Duration: 4:23
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Health Reform Expands Medicaid Coverage For People with Disabilities
July 29, 2010
The new health reform law will cover over 30 million uninsured Americans, including 16 million low-income adults and children through Medicaid. A substantial number of the people who will gain Medicaid coverage under health reform have disabilities or chronic health care conditions. Medicaid is … -
“Grandfathering” Rules Strike a Balance for Consumers
July 29, 2010
The new health reform law includes a number of insurance reforms to aid consumers, several of which will take effect this fall. But plans that existed when the law was enacted on March 23, 2010 — known as “grandfathered” plans — aren’t required to comply with some of … -
July 30 Data Release Will Capture Only a Portion of the Jobs Created or Saved by the Recovery Act
July 29, 2010
On July 30, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board will post on its website, www.recovery.gov, data on jobs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This data release will capture only a portion of the jobs created and saved by the Act, due to ARRA’s limited reporting requirements. According to the … -
Federal Spending Target of 21 Percent of GDP Not Appropriate Benchmark for Deficit-Reduction Efforts
July 28, 2010
The average level of federal spending over the years since 1970 — about 21 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) — does not provide a reasonable benchmark for the level of spending that will be necessary or appropriate in the future. The Heritage Foundation has proposed that, in developing its recommendations, the … -
Media Briefing: Examining Tax Cuts For Those At The Top
July 28, 2010
Executive Director Robert Greenstein and former Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Alan Blinder discuss whether policymakers should extend President Bush’s tax cuts, which are due to expire at the end of this year, for those at the top of the income scale.
Duration: 10:17
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Audio Highlights from the "Preserving Public Housing: Issues and Options" Policy Forum
July 28, 2010
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Urban Institute, and Abt Associates, Inc. sponsored "Preserving Public Housing: Issues and Options," a series of policy forums on the Obama Administration’s PETRA proposal. PETRA would institute new rules governing key rights of tenants in developments converted under the plan, including rights … -
Reducing Health Insurance Tax Credits Would Jeopardize Market Reforms and Cost Controls
July 27, 2010
To help reduce projected budget deficits, some have suggested paring back the tax credits that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 provides to help low- and moderate-income families afford health coverage through new state-based health insurance exchanges. Those deficit hawks recommending this course should set their sights … -
Podcast: Health Reform Law Improves Access to Preventive Care Services
July 27, 2010
Health Policy Analyst Sarah Lueck discusses the great news that millions of Americans will soon be able to receive preventive health care services free of charge.
Duration: 2:58
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Health Reform Changes to Medicare Advantage Strengthen Medicare and Protect Beneficiaries
July 27, 2010
The health reform law will significantly reduce the large overpayments Medicare makes to the private "Medicare Advantage" health plans that serve some beneficiaries. This will reduce premium costs for other Medicare enrollees and strengthen Medicare's overall finances. The law also includes stronger protections … -
Letting High-Income Tax Cuts Expire Is Proper Response to Nation’s Short- and Long-Term Challenges
July 26, 2010
Letting President Bush’s tax cuts for families making over $250,000 expire as scheduled at the end of 2010, while temporarily redirecting this money to more efficient ways of boosting the economy while it is weak, would help the nation address two key challenges: short-term economic weakness (with nearly one in ten … -
Going, Going, Almost Gone: Job-Creating TANF Emergency Fund Set to Expire
July 26, 2010
The subsidized jobs programs that states have created through the TANF Emergency Fund are a bright spot in an economy that is producing new jobs at a very slow pace, but some of these programs have already stopped taking applications in anticipation of the fund’s September 30 expiration, and … -
The Food Stamp Program Is Effective and Efficient
July 23, 2010
The Food Stamp Program (renamed SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is the cornerstone of the nation's safety net and nutrition assistance programs. It currently provides over 40 million participants in more than 18 million low-income households with debit cards they can use to purchase food each month. … -
Fiscal Commission Should Not Focus On Gross Debt
July 21, 2010
A call by several members of the President’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform for the commission to focus on the federal government’s gross debt, rather than debt held by the public, is misguided and could inhibit efforts to address the nation’s long-term fiscal challenges. Debt held by the public … -
Podcast: The Need for Extending the TANF Emergency Fund
July 20, 2010
Dr. LaDonna Pavetti, Director of the Center’s Welfare Reform and Income Support Division, discusses how states are using the TANF Emergency Fund to create jobs – and the need for extending the program.
Duration: 4:35
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, as the Senate Nears Approval of Unemployment Insurance
July 20, 2010
The Senate’s move today toward extending the Recovery Act’s extra weeks of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed will provide much-needed help to almost 3 million unemployed workers and a boost to the economy, since those workers will spend their benefits quickly … -
Policy Basics: Introduction to the Food Stamp Program
Updated July 20, 2010
What Is the Food Stamp Program? The Food Stamp Program, the nation’s most important anti-hunger program, helps roughly 40 million low-income Americans to afford a nutritionally adequate diet. (Effective October 1, 2008, the 2008 Farm Bill renamed the Food Stamp Program the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.) More than … -
Recession Continues to Batter State Budgets; State Responses Could Slow Recovery
Updated July 15, 2010
The worst recession since the 1930s has caused the steepest decline in state tax receipts on record. As a result, even after making very deep spending cuts over the last two years, states continue to face large budget gaps. At least 46 states struggled to close shortfalls when adopting budgets for the current fiscal year (FY … -
Video Clip: RT TV Interviews Arloc Sherman on the Income Gap Between the Rich and the Poor
July 14, 2010
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Using TANF Emergency Funds to Help Prevent and Address Family Homelessness
July 13, 2010
At least 15 states are using federal stimulus dollars provided through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund to assist the growing number of needy families that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless because of the recession. The number of homeless families has increased for each of the last two years and the … -
Podcast: New Fiscal Year Brings More Tough Times for States
July 13, 2010
Policy Analyst Phil Oliff discusses what the new fiscal year brings for states.
Duration: 2:56
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Video Clip: CNN cites the Center on the Income Gap Increase Over the Last Three Decades
July 9, 2010
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The Ryan Budget's Radical Priorities
Revised July 7, 2010
I. Summary The Roadmap for America’s Future, which Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) — the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee — released in late January, calls for radical policy changes that would result in a massive transfer of resources from the broad majority of Americans to the nation’s … -
Childless Adults Who Become Eligible for Medicaid in 2014 Should Receive Standard Benefits Package
July 6, 2010
Among those who will qualify for Medicaid when the program is expanded nationwide to 133 percent of the poverty line in 2014 are poor and low-income adults who do not have a disability or live with an eligible child, a group that is uninsured at higher rates and has greater health care needs than other uninsured groups. The health reform law … -
Podcast: Property Taxes
July 6, 2010
Senior Advisor Iris Lav discusses property taxes, and good and bad ways to address concerns about rising property tax bills.
Duration: 3:40
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the June Employment Report
July 2, 2010
The good news in today’s jobs report is that the private sector continued adding jobs in June — though, as expected, the economy lost jobs overall due to the scheduled reduction in temporary census jobs (see chart). The bad news is that private sector job creation must be much … -
Podcast: The June Employment Report and What It Means for the Economy
July 2, 2010
The jobs report for June is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone. Duration: 2:48
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Podcast: Testimony of Robert Greenstein before the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
June 30, 2010
Robert Greenstein, the Center’s Executive Director, discusses the need to be careful in addressing budget deficit in a testimony before the President’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform on June 30th, 2010.
Duration: 6:46
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Testimony of Robert Greenstein, Executive Director and Jim Horney, Director of Federal Fiscal Policy before the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
June 30, 2010
Members of the Commission, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak to you today. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that focuses both on fiscal policy and on programs and policies of particular importance to low- and moderate-income … -
Unlimited Estate Tax Exemption For Farm Estates Is Unnecessary and Likely Harmful
June 29, 2010
Proponents of repealing the estate tax have made farmers, along with small business, the face of their cause, driving some policymakers to push for special preferences for farms in estate tax law. One of the most radical of these proposed changes is an unlimited estate tax exemption for farmland, recently introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson … -
New Fiscal Year Brings More Grief for State Budgets, Putting Economic Recovery at Risk
June 29, 2010
Dismal state revenue collections caused by the severe recession are setting the stage for a new round of state budget cuts as fiscal year 2011 begins in most states on July 1. The states’ cumulative budget shortfall will likely reach $140 billion in the coming year, the largest shortfall yet in a string of huge annual gaps that date back … -
Podcast: New Health Insurance Option for Young Adults
June 29, 2010
Health Policy Analyst Sarah Lueck discusses a provision in the new health reform law that will start helping young adults this fall. Duration: 3:04
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Income Gaps Between Very Rich and Everyone Else More Than Tripled In Last Three Decades, New Data Show
June 25, 2010
The gaps in after-tax income between the richest 1 percent of Americans and the middle and poorest fifths of the country more than tripled between 1979 and 2007 (the period for which these data are available), according to data the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued last week. Taken together with prior research, the new … -
What States and the Economy Lost When the Senate Jobs Bill Failed
Updated June 24, 2010
The Senate’s failure to pass its version of jobs legislation, which would have extended federal assistance to states, will force the states – which are struggling with an unprecedented drop in revenues due to the recession – to make even deeper spending cuts and raise taxes even … -
Podcast: Unemployment Insurance
June 22, 2010
Unemployment Insurance, a critical program that helps workers who lose their jobs and strengthens the economy, is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone.
Duration: 3:27
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Medicaid Expansion in Health Reform Not Likely to “Crowd Out” Private Insurance
June 22, 2010
Contrary to claims by some critics, the Medicaid expansion in the new health reform law will overwhelmingly provide coverage to people who otherwise would be uninsured, rather than shift people who already have private coverage to Medicaid. Under the new law, beginning in 2014 Medicaid will cover non-elderly individuals with incomes … -
Using TANF Emergency Funds to Provide Food Assistance to Struggling Families
June 18, 2010
States can use federal stimulus dollars provided through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund to provide emergency food assistance to needy families through food banks, agencies, or other distribution sites, or to supplement USDA’s Summer Food Service Programs. This additional help is critically needed: the … -
Federal Government Will Pick Up Nearly All Costs of Health Reform’s Medicaid Expansion
Revised June 18, 2010
Health reform’s critics argue that states will bear a significant share of the costs of the new law’s Medicaid expansion, placing an unaffordable financial burden on states. The argument does not withstand scrutiny. In its first five years, the Medicaid expansion will add just 1.25 percent to … -
Health Reform Is a Good Deal for States
Revised June 18, 2010
Contrary to claims that the health reform law’s Medicaid expansion will place an unaffordable burden on states, the federal government will shoulder nearly all of the cost of the expansion, which will cover 16 million low-income children and adults while raising state Medicaid spending by just 1.25 percent compared to … -
Thune Response to CBPP Report Misses Mark
June 17, 2010
We reported on June 15[1] that Senator John Thune’s proposal to cut $140.6 billion in budget authority from discretionary (i.e., non-entitlement) programs in fiscal year 2010 would shut down much of the federal government for the last two and a half months of the fiscal year (which ends September 30). Senator Thune said we are wrong … -
Enrolling All Children in a Household for Free School Meals
June 16, 2010
A new federal policy will make it easier for school districts to enroll certain low-income children for free school meals. Under the revised policy, all children in a household are eligible for free school meals if anyone in the household is receiving assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance … -
Thune Amendment Would Shut Down Much of the Federal Government for Final Months of Fiscal Year
June 15, 2010
Senator John Thune has proposed legislation with an obvious surface appeal to those concerned about federal spending and deficits — to cancel 5 percent of appropriated funds for fiscal year 2010, as well as tens of billions of dollars of unspent funds from last year’s Recovery Act and other legislation. But his legislation would … -
Podcast: New Ingredients Raising Costs for “WIC” Program
June 15, 2010
Zoë Neuberger, Senior Policy Analyst, discusses the federal food and nutrition program for women, infants and children known as WIC, and the increase in the program’s costs because manufacturers are adding expensive but unproven ingredients to formula and other foods that the program provides.
Duration: 4:09
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Policy Basics: The Estate Tax
Revised June 14, 2010
A long-standing part of the tax system, the estate tax is a tax on property (cash, real estate, stock, or other assets) transferred from deceased persons to their heirs. It is levied not on the full estate but rather on the portion of the estate’s value that exceeds a specified amount of … -
Over 3 Million Low-Income Children in Rural Areas Face Cut in Child Tax Credit if Recovery Act Improvement Expires
June 10, 2010
Issued Jointly With Nearly 3.3 million low-income children with working parents in rural areas will lose important tax benefits if Congress does not extend the Child Tax Credit improvements that the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided for low-income families, as President Obama has proposed. These … -
Young Adults Gain New Coverage Option
June 9, 2010
Under the health reform law, young adults up to their 26th birthday can obtain health coverage through their parents’ health insurance plans. This marks an important shift from the rules in effect now, under which young adults usually lose access to their parents’ coverage once they … -
Compromise Provision to Narrow “Carried Interest” Tax Loophole Should Not Be Weakened Further
June 9, 2010
A provision in the jobs bill that the House passed on May 28 would partially close a tax loophole that allows investment fund managers to pay taxes on a large part of their income — their “carried interest” — at the 15 percent capital gains tax rate rather than at normal income tax rates of … -
Property Tax Cap Wouldn’t Improve New Jersey Policies
June 8, 2010
A report released by the Manhattan Institute on May 24 compares taxes, education spending, and standardized tests in Massachusetts and New Jersey, arguing that a property tax cap has reduced property taxes and school spending in Massachusetts without compromising student performance — and implies that a cap would do the same in New … -
Media Briefing: Property Tax Cap Wouldn’t Improve New Jersey Policies
June 8, 2010
Suggestions that Massachusetts’ experience under a property tax cap shows New Jersey could impose a similar cap without harming education and other public services are misleading. Senior advisor Iris Lav discusses why a property tax cap in New Jersey is likely to end up reducing essential … -
Podcast: The Recovery Act is Working
June 8, 2010
The latest information showing that the Recovery Act is creating jobs and the need to extend more aid to states is discussed by Senior Policy Analyst, Michael Leachman.
Duration: 3:29
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Press Release: Claimed Benefits of Massachusetts-Style Property Tax Cap Overblown, New Study Shows
June 8, 2010
Suggestions that Massachusetts’ experience under a property tax cap shows New Jersey could impose a similar cap without harming education and other public services are misleading, according to a new analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. A recent Manhattan Institute report … -
Slideshow: The State Budget Crisis and the Economy
Updated June 7, 2010
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Podcast: The May Employment Report and What It Means For the Economy
June 4, 2010
The jobs report for May is discussed by Chief Economist, Chad Stone. Duration: 2:33
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Statement: Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the May Employment Report
June 4, 2010
Today’s jobs report shows a labor market that has turned the corner and is creating jobs but one with a long way to go toward a full recovery from the devastating job losses of 2008-09. The percentage of the population with a job is generally moving in the right direction but remains at a … -
WIC Food Package Should Be Based on Science:
June 4, 2010
Several foods offered through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are now sold in higher-priced versions containing “functional ingredients” that manufacturers claim confer health and developmental benefits. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures that these ingredients … -
Statement: Nicholas Johnson, Director, State Fiscal Project, on NGA and NASBO's “Fiscal Survey of the States”
June 3, 2010
Today’s “Fiscal Survey of States” from the National Governors Association (NGA) and the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) underscores the urgent need for Congress to extend fiscal relief to states in the pending jobs legislation. Without further assistance, … -
Podcast: How the Health Reform Law Reduces the Deficit, Part 2
June 1, 2010
Paul Van de Water, a Senior Fellow at the Center, discusses the sources of revenue in the new health reform law. Duration: 4:30 -
Recommendation That President’s Fiscal Commission Focus on Gross Debt Is Misguided
May 27, 2010
At a May 26 presentation before the President’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, University of Maryland professor Carmen M. Reinhart asserted that the gross debt of the government of the United States — rather than debt held by the public — is what matters, and a number of commission members agreed with her. … -
New CBO Report Finds Recovery Act has Preserved or Created up to 2.8 Million Jobs
May 26, 2010
A new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report estimates that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) had preserved or created between 1.2 million and 2.8 million jobs as of March. In other words, there were between 1.2 million and 2.8 million more jobs in the economy in March than there would have been without … -
Sessions-McCaskill Proposal to Establish Discretionary Funding Limits Would Impose Steep Cuts on Domestic Programs
May 25, 2010
A proposal by Senators Jeff Sessions and Claire McCaskill to establish binding limits on discretionary appropriations for the next three years, which they are offering as an amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill now on the Senate floor, would necessitate much larger cuts in nondefense discretionary programs than many policymakers … -
Podcast: How the Health Reform Law Reduces the Deficit, Part 1
May 25, 2010
Paul Van de Water, a Senior Fellow at the Center, discusses how the health reform law saves money for the federal government. Duration: 3:53
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Hidden Consequences: Lessons From Massachusetts for States Considering a Property Tax Cap
Revised May 25, 2010
Executive Summary Advocates of reducing property taxes often cite Proposition 2 ½, the strict property tax cap Massachusetts adopted in 1980, as a model for reform. Most recently, New Jersey Governor Christie has proposed a cap similar to Proposition 2 ½, which limits property tax revenues in Massachusetts to 2.5 … -
Premature End of Federal Assistance to States Threatens Education Reforms and Jobs
Updated May 25, 2010
Recovery Act assistance to states will largely run out this year, which could not only eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs and undermine basic education services but also impede education reform efforts. As Education Secretary Duncan recently told Congress, “We are gravely concerned that the kind of state and local budget …
