Any doubt that vulnerable children and families are worse off during the recession will be quashed after reading today’s Wall Street Journal article, “Middle Class Slams Brakes on Spending.” The poorest fifth of Americans had to spend more on basic necessities such as food and rental housing while their incomes declined. The poor’s expenses rose 5.6 percent from 2007-09 while their after-tax income declined 5.5 percent.

AACF’s take on the data: it’s more compelling evidence that the Arkansas General Assembly needs to take steps to help the state’s most economically fragile families. This includes creating a state earned income tax credit (EITC) and addressing the crisis in funding for subsidized child care for low-income working families.

Read the article here: https://bit.ly/cfjilD