Normally when the public or politicians talk about economic recovery they focus on unemployment and consumer spending. However, the rile of state budget cuts are largely ignored, yet are intimately tied to both unemployment and consumer spending. State cuts...
Since beginning our discussion on health reform, we’ve referenced the new health exchange system that will be established in every state by January of 2014. But what exactly are exchanges and what impact will they have on the healthcare...
Every day Arkansas families struggle to make ends meet, and the recent economic downturn has made this challenge even more difficult. Just how much money does a family need to cover its basic needs? How much do various government...
As my college graduation looms in the not-so-distant future, I find myself pondering things like where I am going to live, whether or not I will be able to find a job in this economy, and whether or not...
In these difficult economic times, Arkansas faces major challenges in meeting the needs of vulnerable children and families. Decreasing tax revenues and growing demand for services and support require tough decisions, thoughtful approaches and the political courage to balance...
July 2010: Unemployment assistance, child nutrition and more An Update on the Federal Tax and Budget System As Congress heads toward its annual August recess, both the House and Senate are busy working to pass key pieces of legislation...
We’re back again with more exciting news about healthcare in Arkansas. We know it will take years to implement all of the changes to our system via health reform. But did you know that there are also immediate benefits...
Arkansas is ranked at the top of all states for having the most children at risk of food insecurity. Nearly 25 percent of Arkansas children are at risk of being hungry, according to research conducted by Feeding America from...
The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 7 out of the 10 deaths caused by chronic diseases including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease could be prevented with regular check-ups and screenings. We have been told time and...
We’ve worked hard to try and make clear the many reasons health reform is a major win for Arkansas (see previous blog posts here, here and here). Among policymakers and politicians, it’s hard to go long without hearing about...