A new report published by Economic Policy Institute finds that all 50 states have experienced widening income inequality in recent decades. This follows a report we released last week that highlights the growing wealth disparity in Arkansas. The...
The gap between the rich and poor in Arkansas is growing. A new report by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF) says increasing inequality in Arkansas is holding back economic growth, damaging the democratic process, and keeping...
Believe it or not, lawmakers will be talking about issues other than the Private Option during the 2014 fiscal session which begins today. One of those issues is how to best spend funds aimed at helping poorer students perform...
NSLA Funding in the 89th General Assembly NSLA funding, also known as school poverty funding, is the part of the state-funding package for schools that is targeted to low-income students. It is named NSLA after the National School Lunch...
Rough week for tax fairness at the Capitol Advocates holding out some glimmer of hope for legislation that would promote tax fairness did not have a good day at the Capitol on Tuesday. Two tax cut bills – one...
Tax cuts for high earners don’t spur the economy As the 89th General Assembly of Arkansas speeds forward on efforts to cut taxes for high-income earners and corporate investors, a timely report dispels the notion that tax cuts lead...
Highway Robbery bill still hurts services for kids This Highway Robbery Bill – HB 1418 – is akin to robbing Peter to Pay Paul. It presents a false choice between funding highways or funding other critical services for children...
According to an analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), House Bill 1585 would target personal income tax relief to Arkansas taxpayers who make over $155,000 per year (the top five percent of earners). This group would...
Keeping low-income families in mind as debate moves forward Last week’s big Medicaid news in Arkansas has been making waves across the country. In short, Arkansas received word from Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius that the state has...
Spending Caps Mean Bad News of Kids and Families Spending caps are budget gimmicks that cause more problems than they solve. They have failed to work in the past, and there is no reason to believe they will work...