North Dakota Economic Security and Prosperity Alliance: CBPP: This Week at the CBPP

This week at CBPP, we focused on the federal budget and taxes, food assistance, poverty and inequality, housing, Social Security, state budgets and taxes, and the economy.

On the federal budget and taxes, Tazra Mitchell explained that President Trump’s budget would make it harder for many to work and gain the skills necessary to get ahead. Richard Kogan warned that a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget would post serious risks to the economy. Janne Huang celebrated the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which provides free tax preparation services to millions of low- and moderate-income taxpayers.
On food assistance, Brynne Keith-Jennings and Raheem Chaudhry foundthat most working-age SNAP participants work, but often in unstable jobs. Keith-Jennings showed that SNAP helps workers supplement low wages and helps them between jobs. Catlin Nchako and Lexin Cai took a closer look at who benefits from SNAP in updated state-by-state fact sheets.
On poverty and inequality, Mitchell argued that neither work requirements nor President Trump’s budget would help struggling workers.
On housing, Will Fischer pointed to two recent reports that bolster the case against the Trump Administration’s housing proposals.
On Social Security, Kathy Ruffing noted Social Security Disability Insurance’s importance to women workers and their families, and she highlighted five facts about women and disability insurance.
On state budgets and taxes, Elizabeth McNichol explained that the Senate Democrats’ new infrastructure plan would boost the economy.
On the economy, we updated our chart book on the legacy of the Great Recession.