The ‘Welfare Queen’ Is a LieAt a campaign rally in 1976, Ronald Reagan introduced the welfare queen into the public conversation about poverty: “She used 80 names, 30 addresses, 15 telephone numbers to collect food stamps, Social Security, veterans’ benefits for four… Sep 28 16September 28, 2016Article at The Atlantic
Social and Economic Rights are Human RightsUS voters’ faith in government is at an all-time low. Can policies targeting fundamental needs reverse this trend? Dec 10 25December 10, 2025Article at Equal Futures Substack
Should the Constitution Protect the Poor?The Florida Supreme Court recently issued a long-awaited ruling stripping the right to vote from citizens with a felony conviction until they’ve paid all fines and fees associated with their incarceration. The ruling comes less than a year after… Feb 05 20February 05, 2020Article at Inside Sources
In Los Angeles, the Poor People’s Campaign Makes a Powerful Case for Housing as a Human RightFrom skyrocketing rents to the lack of public toilets on Skid Row, women who’ve experienced poverty and homelessness offer valuable insights for policymakers--but are they listening? When Silvia Hernandez first immigrated to California over two… Dec 06 18December 06, 2018Article at Common Dreams
Republicans’ Fixation on Work Requirements Is Fueled by White Racial ResentmentThursday afternoon, the House narrowly passed a Farm Bill that, if it were to become law, would vastly expand work requirements for SNAP (formerly “food stamps”) recipients, putting more than 2 million people at greater risk of hunger. The vote is… Jun 22 18June 22, 2018Article at Slate Magazine
Republicans are bringing ‘welfare queen’ politics to the tax cut fightSen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) supports the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which saw its funding lapse Oct. 1, and said last week that “CHIP is having trouble . . . because we don’t have money anymore” due to spending on what he sees as less… Dec 08 17December 08, 2017Article at Washington Post
The Assault on Food Stamps Is MisguidediStock Last week in Arkansas, the state House of Representatives passed a bill that would ban the use of federal food stamps to purchase food with “insufficient nutritional value.” The sponsor of the bill, State Rep. Mary Bentley, argued that “I want… Feb 07 17February 07, 2017Article at Washington Monthly
Dollars and CensureLast week concluded “Financial Capability Month,” an Obama administration effort affirming a national commitment to “equipping individuals with the knowledge and protections necessary to secure a stable financial future for themselves and their… May 05 16May 05, 2016Article at New America
What’s the matter with Kansas’s new TANF law? Almost everythingOn April 16, 2015, Kansas governor Sam Brownback signed into law an unprecedented set of restrictions on how the state’s most economically vulnerable families can access and use their monthly cash assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,… May 13 15May 13, 2015Article at Quartz
Less Money, More ProblemsKansas Governor Sam Brownback recently signed into law an unprecedented set of restrictions on how the state’s most economically vulnerable families can access and use their monthly cash assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF).… May 04 15May 04, 2015Article at Pacific Standard
Less Money, More ProblemsLast Thursday, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law an unprecedented set of restrictions on how the state’s most economically vulnerable families can access and use their monthly cash assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or… Apr 24 15April 24, 2015Article at New America
Poverty is Structural – So are SolutionsResearchers spend a lot of time trying to identify the root causes of poverty. But the perception of the public matters too—particularly due to the impact of these perceptions on political discourse (and vice versa). A new poll released this week… Jun 25 14June 25, 2014Article at New America
A New Welfare Law Sanctions The Worst Stereotypes About Poor FamiliesThe legislation translates tired clichés into real policy, by forcing states to prevent low-income residents from using their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards for transactions at casinos, liquor stores and “adult entertainment” establishments.… Feb 21 14February 21, 2014Article at Business Insider
For Poor Consumers, Poor TechnologyThis week, we’ve seen a slew of pieces documenting technological barriers to accessing the safety net—and keeping specific benefits secure. As these pieces illustrate, technological glitches are widespread and have been a fixture of the public… Jan 09 14January 09, 2014Article at New America
Poor People Deserve Digital Privacy, TooFor centuries, political authorities have punished the poor for being poor. In colonial America, for example, “overseers of the poor” required the destitute to wear badges. Today, “overseers of the poor” are as much code—database queries to check… Dec 12 13December 12, 2013Article at Slate Magazine
Hey Utah: Policymaking via Stereotype Benefits No OneUtah’s recent plan to drug test its TANF applicants, like similar proposals from a range of other states, came under scrutiny earlier this summer after it was revealed that a mere 12 applicants failed the test – which cost taxpayers over $30,000 to… Sep 12 13September 12, 2013Article at New America
Warning: Solutions to non-Existent Problems AheadOr, so should have been labeled the justification to cut SNAP in the budget proposal from House Budget Chair Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) yesterday. Underlying this move was the need to increase integrity in the program. In its own words: “These programs… Mar 13 13March 13, 2013Article at New America
"Hunger is a Political Condition"Last night I had the chance to attend an advance screening of “A Place at the Table,” a new documentary about hunger in America. Drawing upon the perspectives and experiences of families struggling with hunger around the country, the film takes a… Feb 15 13February 15, 2013Article at New America
Creating a National Conversation about Surviving on Food StampsYesterday, Newark Mayor Cory Booker finished his widely publicized “SNAP Challenge,” during which he subsisted solely on meals he could prepare on an average week’s worth of SNAP (formerly food stamps) benefits – which works out to about $1.40 a… Dec 11 12December 11, 2012Article at New America
The $100,000 Question: Who are the SNAP Participants Robert Rector's Talking About?A recent article from Minnesota Public Radio described the consequences of curtailing the policy option that allows states to lift or eliminate their asset tests for most SNAP applicants (also known as broad-based categorical eligibility). State… Jul 16 12July 16, 2012Article at New America
Pay No Attention to the Facts Behind the Curtain...The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) has become a major target this election cycle, largely because of persistent accusations of waste and fraud in its administration. However, it is well documented that SNAP fraud is minimal;… Mar 14 12March 14, 2012Article at New America
