News
Mass. Senate announces first draft budget
On Tuesday, the Massachusetts state Senate released their draft version of the FY17 budget. Next, senators will propose and debate amendments to this budget.
We are supporting three amendments as part of this process.
Early Education Rate Reserve Amendment, Sen. Michael Moore – Invests an additional $10 million early childhood education with a critical investment through the workforce (line item 1599-0042). We’re struggling to keep high-quality educators in the field, which has a 30% turnover rate. Massachusetts should lead on education, but we have a ways to go on early education.
Restore Kindergarten Expansion Funding, Sen. Brian Joyce – Restores some $16 million in cuts to kindergarten expansion grants.
Early Education Quality Improvement, Sen. Linda Dorcena – Invests $2 million in additional funds to help early education programs raise and maintain their level of quality, which is critical to meeting our standards for effective early learning programs (line item 3000-1020).
A step backward in the fight against child hunger
As it currently stands, the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization bill (HR 5003), significantly undermines progress in addressing the problem of childhood hunger in America.
When kids are hungry, they struggle to learn. When kids don't learn, they struggle in life. Still, 16 million American kids are at risk of going hungry every day. That’s 1 out of every 5 kids. We can and we must do better.
But the legislation the Education and Workforce advanced on May 18 will make the issue worse.
Among the provisions in the current bill that Fair Share opposes include:
- It makes it much harder for schools to join the popular and successful community eligibility program. Currently, if a school has enough children who are eligible for free or reduced school lunch, the whole school can opt in. This reduces the administrative burden of application and removes stigma from children who need food assistance as the food is made available to all. The current language dramatically reduces the number of schools that would qualify. Up to 3 million students could be affected.
- It puts up barriers for families trying to get access to lunch programs. The bill sets up a series of administration hurdles to make it much more of a hassle for children who need food assistance to actually receive it.
- It weakens the nutrition standards for school lunches, delaying science-based health standards around sodium and cutting back whole grain requirements.
- It lays the groundwork for turning the National School Lunch program into a block grant program, which could dramatically reduce its effectiveness.
Traditionally, the national child nutrition programs have enjoyed bipartisan support. But this bill, dividing sharply on party lines, breaks this tradition, and increases the likelihood that children will be struggling in class on an empty stomach.
Feeding kids is the right thing to do, period. It’s also the right thing to do for our economy. We know that it is impossible for children who are hungry to concentrate on learning or be healthy enough to regularly attend school. A critical piece of investing in our country’s future is to make sure that children and their families have enough to eat.
It costs more to ignore the problem than it does to solve it. According to a report by the Center for American Progress and Brandeis University, “hunger costs our nation at least $167.5 billion due to the combination of lost economic productivity per year, more expensive public education because of the rising costs of poor education outcomes, avoidable health care costs, and the cost of charity to keep families fed.”
We encourage the House to vote NO on H.R. 5003, and also hope the Senate can address the troubling aspects of this bill when they draft their version.
Law enforcement officials, faith leaders, small business owners and civic organizations call for Sen. Grassley's Leadership on Corporate Transparency
In light of the Panama Papers, a letter signed by 67 organizations and individuals calls for the Senator to renew his leadership on the Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act (S. 2489).
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A coalition of faith, small business, good government and law enforcement organizations delivered a letter to Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA) today, urging the senator's leadership for Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act (S. 2489). The bill, for which Sen. Grassley has served as a lead sponsor in the past, would end the ability to create anonymous shell companies in the U.S., commonly used in money laundering and at the heart of the corruption uncovered in the Panama Papers leak.
Increased corporate transparency would curb corruption, fraud and tax evasion; promote sound corporate governance and financial stability; enable individuals and companies to know with whom they are doing business; help ensure a level playing field for small- and medium-sized businesses; foster global development and enhance national security. ICAN and Iowa Fair Share organized the sign on effort.
"Anonymous shell companies have been used in a wide variety of crimes. Law enforcement has trouble pinning the criminal to the crime, as the identities of the criminals and their connection to dirty money are shielded by layer after layer of anonymous companies," said Story County Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald. "It’s time to require the true owner of a company's information be made available to law enforcement."
The coalition, which includes local members of the national Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition, has been working to highlight the local impacts of shell companies in Iowa and make the case for reform.
"Sen. Grassley has recently indicated his interest in stepping up and providing leadership on this bill, and as chair of the judiciary, his support is critical," said Sue Dinsdale of Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN). "We'd love to see his name on the dotted line soon."
"Anonymous shell companies are at the nexus of crime, poverty and our global financial system. As a person of faith, I know there is more that we can do to help people suffering because of this abuse," added Julia Rendon, pastor of Crossroads United Church of Christ in Indianola. "This bill is a good place to start."
The bill would require companies to disclose information about the real people who own or control them (often called the “beneficial owners”) at the time they are created. This legislation would enable law enforcement to more effectively and efficiently conduct investigations to combat terrorism and financial crime, as they would have access to important information about the ultimate owners of companies.
Approximately two million corporations are formed in the U.S. each year—which is more than the rest of the world combined. Criminals often layer anonymous corporations, with one owning another and so on, to make it even harder for law enforcement to “trace the money” to figure out who is directing the company’s activity—i.e. the identity of the real criminal. This has been the case in crimes in Iowa as well.
"It is exciting to see the growing efforts to curb the corruption and strike at the waste, fraud and abuse that flows through our financial system," said Gary Kalman, Executive Director of the FACT Coalition based in Washington, DC. "The bill would ensure everyone is playing by the same set of rules and Senator Grassley's early support for the bill will have an immediate and powerful impact."
The fulle letter, and list of signers is below:
Dear Senator Grassley,
We, the undersigned Iowa-based organizations and civic leaders, are writing to express our strong support for the Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act. This bill, S. 2489, would end the ability to incorporate anonymously in the U.S., which is crucial to stemming the flow of dirty money laundered through the U.S. financial system.
We understand this is an issue which you have supported in the past, and have indicated you will support again. We encourage you to actively champion this measure and press for its quick passage.
Increased corporate transparency would curb corruption, fraud and tax evasion; promote sound corporate governance and financial stability; increase transparency of campaign contributions; enable individuals and companies to know with whom they are doing business; help ensure a fair and level playing field for small- and medium-sized businesses; foster global development and enhance national security.
The bill would require companies to disclose information about the real people who own or control them (often called the “beneficial owners”) at the time they are created. This legislation would enable law enforcement to more effectively and efficiently conduct investigations to combat terrorism and financial crime, as they would have access to important information about the ultimate owners of companies.
As many studies—as well as the recent leak of documents known as the Panama Papers highlight—the U.S. is a favored place for incorporating shell companies used to hide stolen assets, dodge taxes, defraud Medicare, evade sanctions, launder drug money and sell illegal weapons around the world. In Iowa, you can form a company without revealing the identity of who ultimately owns or controls it.
Approximately two million corporations are formed in the U.S. each year—which is more than the rest of the world combined. Criminals often layer anonymous corporations, with one owning another and so on, to make it even harder for law enforcement to “trace the money” to figure out who is directing the company’s activity—i.e. the identity of the real criminal. This has been the case in crimes in Iowa as well.
Even if Iowa were to increase the requirements for incorporation, as long as other states allow anonymous companies to form, the problem will persist. We support a uniform, federal requirement that no corporation be anonymous as the only effective way to ensure a level playing field for states.
The increased accountability made possible by the bill would make it much harder for criminals to hide behind American shell companies to perpetrate schemes to defraud investors and other innocent Americans—or to defraud the public.
This bill would also provide law enforcement with a critical tool in the fight against financial crime and the financing of terrorism. The U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the former District Attorney of New York and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association have all testified at Congressional hearings that the ability of criminals to wash their dirty money through anonymous U.S. shell corporations significantly impedes their efforts to fight terrorism and other serious crime in the U.S. and internationally.
We encourage you to take this commonsense step to make our corporate formation process transparent, which would make it harder for criminals to misuse American companies to facilitate illegal activities and stop the United States from being a dumping ground for dirty money.
Thank you for your commitment to this important issue.
Should you have additional questions about the legislation, we encourage you to reach out to Clark Gascoigne with the FACT Coalition.
Sincerely, the following Iowa law enforcement officials, faith leaders, small business owners and civic organizations,
• Paul H. Fitzgerald, Story County Sheriff, Nevada, Iowa
• Patrick B. Chambers, Hamilton County Attorney, Webster City, Iowa
• Rev. Julia Rendon, Crossroads United Church of Christ, Indianola, Iowa
• Rev. Chet Guinn, Methodist (Retired), Des Moines, Iowa
• Rev. Brian Carter, Methodist (Retired), Des Moines, Iowa
• Dr. William Klink, Professor Emeritus, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
• Dr. Darrell Wiens, Professor, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
• Dr. Thomas Tritle, Professor, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
• Dennis Bricker, Professor, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
• ReShonda Young, Owner, Popcorn Heaven, Iowa
• John Bartlett, Owner, I Work and Play, Iowa
• Ron Dinsdale, Owner, Midvale Pinacotheca Art Studio, Iowa
• Chris Petersen, Owner, Chris Petersen Family Farm, Iowa
• Linda Shepley, Co-Owner, Ritual Cafe, Iowa
• Denise Diaz, Co-Owner, Ritual Cafe, Iowa
• Joe Van Haalen, Owner, Smokin Joe's BBQ, Iowa
• Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans
• Iowa Main Street Alliance
• Iowa Fair Share
• Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN)
As well as the following concerned Iowa citizens:
• Jon Krieg 50312
• Barbara Dale 52101
• Jim Dale 52101
• Gaye Warner 52247
• Jason Badger 50211
• Natalie Terrones 50046
• Larry J. Bower 51108
• Doug Miller 50310
• Thomas J Persoon 52241
• Frank Belcastro 52001
• Thomas P. Gardner 52632
• Todd Lashway 52556
• Tony Jorgensen 50501
• Terry Lowman 50014
• Greta Anderson 50010
• Eloise Cranke 50317
• Melinda Arndt 52556
• Sandy Keller 52240
• Kent Wright 50702
• John R. Stone 50401
• Barbara Cunningham 51601
• Jeanne Stoakes 50702
• Bernardo Alayza Mujica
• Jon Hunstock 50010
• Audrey Hunstock 50010
• William Reedy 52210
• Susan E. Kolbe 50112
• Bob Jewett 50313
• R. Allen Hays 50613
• Stephen Tews 52577
• Jan Flora 50010
• Susan Benner 50010
• Ellen Roth 52556
• Margaret Weiner 50322
• Ryan Terrones 50046
• Francis Driscoll 50314
• Diane Pelz 50010
• Paul Jensen 50010
• Selden Spencer 50124
• Brenda Brink 50124
• John Cook
• Margaret Jaeckel 51503
• Kay Kopatich 50322
• Lloyd Matheson 52245
• Ellen Roth 52556
• Maria Dickmann 52806
• Patricia Nielsen 52402
House moves to gut school lunch program
There are already enough bullies in the lunchroom.
Now some members of the U.S. House are effectively trying to take our kids' lunch money -- by putting forward a bill that guts school lunch programs.
We're calling on Rep. John Kline, the chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, to clean up this bill and protect our kids before it hits the House floor for a vote.
Tell Rep. Kline: A hungry kid can't focus, and can't learn. Help put our kids on the path to success. Please don't cut school lunch programs.
The House Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill includes sneaky provisions that would gut the school lunch program -- and would roll back years of progress.
If passed, more than 7,000 schools -- that serve more than 3 million kids -- would have their school lunch eligibility revoked.
Right now, there are kids in every single county nationwide who aren't sure where their next meal is coming from -- leaving them distracted by hunger instead of focused on the schooling that will give them a fair shot at a good life.
That's where programs like school lunch can make a huge difference.
Taking away kids' school lunches is being hailed as the fiscally responsible thing to do, even when we know the opposite is true. Making sure kids aren't hungry in class is a common-sense investment to get the most out of school.
And if enough of us speak up, we can help end childhood hunger and enable kids to stop thinking about filling their bellies, and instead focus on filling their hearts and minds.
Join the call: Tell Rep. Kline to support food lunch programs.
Pfizer Inversion Stalled By Treasury Action
Pfizer, the giant drug company, was on the verge of finishing a move that would allow it to dodge some $35 billion in taxes, known as an "inversion" ... but the U.S. Treasury issued a new rule which should halt the planned inversion.
After Fair Share, in coalition with groups across the country, called for new Treasury action, they responded this week by issuing the new rule. Fair Share members sent in thousands of comments in support, and Americans for Tax Fairness, a coalition of groups working to make the tax code more fair, together reached more than 120,000 comments.
This is a big victory in our work to stand up to corporate tax dodging.
Pfizer, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, was finalizing a plan to merge with a smaller Irish drug company called Allergan. The move would allow it to declare itself an Irish company for tax purposes.
If Pfizer was able to renounce its status as a U.S.-based company, it would be taxed at a much lower rate than American-based companies in a scheme that is referred to as "corporate inversion." The crazy thing is, Pfizer doesn't actually have to move its CEO or any of its central offices -- it can just claim on paper to be headquartered in Ireland, much in the way that Burger King is now, on paper, a Canadian company.
Not only would this give an unfair advantage to Pfizer against other companies, it would also allow them to forgo paying taxes for $148 billion they have stashed offshore.
We can't let some big corporations continue to dodge taxes with high-paid tax lawyers -- everyone should play by the same rules. How can we invest in education or roads, bridges and public transportation if large, profitable companies are scheming to avoid paying their fair share?
The Treasury rules are a step in the right direction and will save taxpayers $35 billion in lost taxes. But further action is needed from Congress to finish the job.
136 local elected officials call for more early ed investment
We delivered a letter signed by a bipartisan group of 136 local elected officials that call for increased state investment in early education and care. Citing dropping levels of state funding, and the importance of ensuring all children start on a level playing field, the letter calls for additional funding to improve and expand early learning programs for children ages 0-5.
We pride ourselves on education in Massachusetts, which is why we need to do better when it comes to early education. We know these earlier years can help set students up for a lifetime of success and have extremely high return on investment. If we are serious about reducing the academic achievement gap, we need to make sure that every child starts kindergarten ready by making sure they can access high-quality early learning programs.
Along with the 60 other groups in the Put MA Kids First coalition, we are calling for increased investments in early learning programs, anchored in a quality workforce. One of the top issues that the field of early education and care has identified is a dramatic drop in the number of early education programs, and alarmingly high turnover of the early educator workforce. Child Care Aware has tracked a 25% drop in the number of early education programs in Massachusetts since 2011. Wellesley College researchers point to a high early educator turnover rate of 30%. It’s clear that the field is suffering and in crisis.
The sign on letter is below.
Strong Start for Massachusetts Children
Every child deserves a fair chance in life, and this begins with quality early education and care. Massachusetts should lead on education, but when it comes to early education, we’re falling behind. While states like Oklahoma guarantee a year of public preschool for every child, Massachusetts state spending on early education and care has declined by 50% since 2001.
Providing all children access to a high-quality early education is essential to creating a level playing field, so that no child starts kindergarten already behind. Participation in high-quality early learning programs helps children better realize their full potential, reduces the achievement gap and provides a strong foundation for future success.
I support increasing state investment in early education and care, in order to improve and expand programs for children ages 0-5 so that every child can access a high-quality early learning program.
Sincerely, the undersigned:
- Selectperson Janet K. Adachi, Acton
- Councilor Joseph McMilleon, Amesbury (Via town resolution)
- Councilor James Kelcourse, Amesbury (Via town resolution)
- Councilor Donna McClure, Amesbury (Via town resolution)
- Councilor Paul Sickorez, Amesbury (Via town resolution)
- Councilor Mary Louise Bartley, Amesbury (Via town resolution)
- Councilor F. David Moavenzadeh, Amesbury (Via town resolution)
- Councilor Robert Lavoie, Amesbury (Via town resolution)
- Councilor Anne Ferguson, Amesbury (Via town resolution)
- Councilor Jonathan Sherwood, Amesbury (Via town resolution)
- School Board Member Cindy Starks, Arlington
- Councilor Jessica Rapp Grassetti, Barnstable
- Councilor James H. Crocker, Barnstable
- Councilor Estelle Rand, Beverly
- Councilor Ayanna Pressley, Boston
- Selectperson Donald Ellis, Bourne
- Councilor Thomas Monahan, Brockton
- Councilor Shaynah Barnes, Brockton
- School Board Member Raymond Henningson, Brockton
- School Board Member Thomas Minichiello, Brockton
- School Board Member Helen Charlupski, Brookline
- School Board Member Rebecca Stone, Brookline
- Councilor Leland Cheung, Cambridge
- Councilor Craig Kelley, Cambridge
- Councilor Nadeem Mazen, Cambridge
- Councilor Marc McGovern, Cambridge
- Councilor E. Denise Simmons, Cambridge
- Councilor Timothy Toomey, Jr., Cambridge
- School Board Member Fran Cronin, Cambridge
- Councilor Craig A. Kelley, Cambridge
- Selectperson Pat Wojtas, Chelmsford
- Councilor Leo Robinson, Chelsea
- Councilor Luis Tejada, Chelsea
- Councilor Enio Lopez, Chelsea
- Councilor Yamir G. Rodriguez, Chelsea
- Councilor Adam Lamontagne, Chicopee
- School Board Member David Barsalou, Chicopee
- Selectperson Diane Kennedy, Cohasset
- Selectperson Daniel Bennett, Danvers
- Councilor Rosa DiFlorio, Everett
- Councilor Michael L. Miozza, Fall River
- School Board Member Paul Hart, Fall River
- School Board Member Joseph Martins, Fall River
- Councilor Paul Beauchemin, Fitchburg
- Selectperson Valerie Mulvey, Framingham
- Councilor Matthew C. J. Vance, Gardner
- Councilor Paul McGeary, Gloucester
- Councilor Steven LeBlanc, Gloucester
- Councilor William Fonvielle, Gloucester
- Councilor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Gloucester
- Councilor Robert Whynott, Gloucester
- Councilor James W. O’Hara Jr., Gloucester
- Councilor Norman Hirschfeld, Greenfield
- Councilor Andres X. Vargas, Haverhill
- Councilor Melinda Barrett, Haverhill
- Councilor Daniel Bresnahan, Holyoke
- Councilor Gordon Paul Alexander, Holyoke
- Councilor Peter Tallman, Holyoke
- Councilor Modesto Maldonado, Lawrence
- Councilor Hong Net, Lynn
- School Board Member John Ford, Lynn
- School Board Member Maria Carrasco, Lynn
- Councilor Daniel Cahill, Lynn
- Councilor Wayne Lozzi, Lynn
- Councilor Brian P. LaPierre, Lynn
- Councilor Debbie DeMaria, Malden
- Councilor Steven Ultrino, Malden
- Councillor Ryan O’Malley, Malden
- Councilor Peg Crowe, Malden (peronalized letter)
- Councilor Neal Anderson, Malden (peronalized letter)
- Councilor Michael Marks, Medford
- Alderman Michael P. Zwirko, Melrose
- Councilor Sean Fountain, Methuen
- Councilor James Atkinson, Methuen
- Councilor Thomas Ciulla, Methuen
- Councilor Lisa Yarid-Ferry, Methuen
- Board of Selectmen Chair Brian W. Murray, Milford
- Selectperson Edward Harrison, Monson
- Selectperson Gail Garrett, Mt. Washington
- Councilor Brian K. Gomes, New Bedford
- Councilor Kerry Winterson, New Bedford
- Councilor Allison Heartquist, Newburyport
- Councilor Ari Herzog, Newburyport
- Councilor Edward Cameron, Newburyport
- Councilor Jared Eigerman, Newburyport
- Councilor Charles Tontar, Newburyport
- Councilor Meghan Kinsey, Newburyport
- Councilor Emily Norton, Newton
- Selectperson Scott Bugbee, Norfolk
- Councilor Benjamin Lamb, North Adams
- Councilor Lisa Blackmer, North Adams
- Councilor Nancy Bullett, North Adams
- Councilor Joshua Moran, North Adams
- Councilor Alisa Klein, Northampton
- Councilor Gina-Louise Sciarra, Northampton
- Selectperson Ellen Allen, Norwell
- Councilor Mary Salzmann, Palmer
- Councilor Donald Blais, Jr., Palmer
- Councilor Lorinda Baker, Palmer
- Councilor James Moutsoulas, Peabody
- Councilor Thomas Walsh, Peabody
- Councilor Robert Driscoll, Peabody
- Councilor Lisa Tully, Pittsfield
- Councilor Jonathan Lothrop, Pittsfield
- Councilor Churchill Cotton, Pittsfield
- Councilor John Krol, Pittsfield
- Councilor Kathleen Amuso, Pittsfield
- Councilor Douglas S. Gutro, Quincy
- Councilor Paul J. Meoni, Randolph
- Councilor Ira Novoselsky, Revere
- Councilor Steven Morabito, Revere
- Selectperson Marilyn Wilson, Rowe (via Town Resolution)
- Selectperson Noel Abbott, Rowe (via Town Resolution)
- Selectperson Susan Gleason, Rowe (via Town Resolution)
- Councilor David Eppley, Salem
- Councilor Stephen G. Dibble, Salem
- Councilor William White, Jr., Somerville
- Councilor Matthew McLaughlin, Somerville
- Councilor Zaida Luna, Springfield
- Councilor Adam Gomez, Springfield
- Councilor Melvin Edwards, Springfield
- Selectperson John Callahan, Swampscott
- Councilor Gerald A. Croteau, Taunton
- Councilor Daniel Romard, Waltham
- Councilor Anthony Palomba, Watertown
- Councilor Susan Falkoff, Watertown
- Councilor Aaron Dushku, Watertown
- Councilor Michael Dattoli, Watertown
- Councilor Lisa Feltner, Watertown
- Selectperson Dennis Murphy, Wellfleet
- Selectperson Jerry Houk, Wellfleet
- Selectperson Paul Pilcher, Wellfleet
- Councilor Mary Ann Babinski, Westfield
- Selectperson Anne O’Connor, Williamstown
- Councilor Sarai Rivera, Worcester
- School Board Member John F. Monfredo, Worcester
Real Tax Reform Should Close Offshoring Loopholes
The U.S. House held a hearing today about tax reform. Fair Share's signed on to a letter, via the FACT Coalition about what we think real reform is. Our priorities for tax reform are to make sure that every business plays by the same rules -- that large multinational compaies shouldn't be able to dodge taxes by hiding money overseas.
“Offshore loopholes and tax haven abuse cost U.S. taxpayers $150 billion per year,” explained Clark Gascoigne, Interim Director of the FACT Coalition, upon submitting the comments to the Committee. “It’s an enormous amount of lost revenue that must instead be shouldered by small businesses, domestic corporations, and ordinary individuals.”
“At the same time, tax haven abuse facilitates the outflow of trillions of dollars from developing countries—exacerbating global poverty and inequality and increasing our national security risks,” continued Mr. Gascoigne. “It’s high time that Congress reform our tax code to close these loopholes—protecting the most vulnerable among us and evening the playing field for domestic businesses to compete fairly with multinational corporations. We hope that the Committee chooses to move in this direction.”
The FACT Coalition’s submission to the Ways and Means Committee specifically highlights a number of issues, including:
- How the tax code is riddled with loopholes inserted by special interests resulting in the ability for large, multinational corporations to shift their tax responsibilities to small businesses and average taxpayers.
- How companies use the current system of deferral to indefinitely put off paying taxes until the profits are “brought back” to the U.S.
- The practices of inversions and earnings stripping, where a domestic company purchases a foreign firm that’s usually much smaller and reincorporates overseas in a low or no tax jurisdiction. The company then loads down the domestic entity with so much debt as to obviate any potential tax payments.
- How Congress should avoid embracing changes to the tax code that provide false “solutions” like a shift to a territorial tax system or proposals to create patent or innovation boxes.
> Download a PDF of the FACT Coalition’s submission.
New ITEP report: Immigration reform on local budgets
What impact would immigration reform have on the economy?
A new report from Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) estimates that, in additional tax revenue alone, local and state governments would see an additional $2.16 billion. This is just part of the economic benefits of immigration reform, which, in total, could add $1.5 trillion for our economy over 10 years.
The study accounted for local sales and excise taxes, property taxes, and incomes taxes, as well as the estimated potential wage boost and personal income tax compliance of undocumented immigrants. The report included a state by breakdown of how states could benefit from reform, which you can see below:
SCREENSHOTS VIA ITEP
White House Budget has Major Investments Targeting Child Hunger
Though the House has refused to hold hearings on the President's budget, the White House revealed several important measures that, if adopted, would make significant progress in ending child hunger in America. On Jan. 27, the White House held an event on how we can end child hunger in America, highlighting those budget proposals.
In a statement, the White House said:
The Obama Administration is dedicated to ensuring American children and families have the support they need to build a better future, especially when weathering life’s ups and downs, such as loss of a job, illness, or work that pays less than a livable wage. SNAP and other nutrition programs, like school meals, make a real and measurable difference in the lives of children and their families and provide a stronger future for the entire country. Building on its commitment to expanding access to opportunity for all, today the Obama Administration will announce additional actions to ensure American children have the food they need to grow, learn, and succeed.
The agenda on child hunger included summer food programs (where food insecurity can spike as school lunch programs are suspended) and using other government data to auto-enroll students in school lunch programs.