February 2, 2021
States spend only about a fifth of their combined federal and state dollars under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant on basic assistance for families with children, our analysis of the latest data from fiscal year 2019 shows, and several states spend less than a tenth. States are using their considerable flexibility under TANF, the primary cash assistance program for families with the lowest incomes, to divert funds
away from income support for families and toward other, often unrelated state budget areas, as they have increasingly done since TANF’s creation in 1996. By changing course and redirecting the funds back towards cash assistance, states could improve academic, health, and economic outcomes for children in families in poverty, research shows.
More help, at long last, is on the way.
After months of partisan gridlock and inaction even as hundreds of thousands of Americans were dying due to Covid-19 and millions more were falling into poverty congressional leaders have finally agreed on another $900 billion coronavirus relief package.
On Monday afternoon, mere hours ahead of planned votes, lawmakers released the text of the legislation, 5,593 pages combining pandemic relief and $1.4 trillion in funding for government operations for the full 2021 fiscal year.
“We’re going to stay here until we finish tonight,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said. The House and Senate late Sunday passed a one-day stopgap government funding measure, averting a partial shutdown and allowing more time for the legislative text to be finalized and passed.
Don Fitz
And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint;
And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profits shall this birthright do me?
And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
Genesis 25: 30-33
December 11, 2020
Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal Despite the bizarre fantasy by Trump supporters that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, there was, in fact, genuine electoral fraud in the US. This fraud was more intense and blatant than any unproven claims of election meddling by Russians, Chinese, Syrians or Iranians. It was an all-out attack on political rights not seen since Joseph McCarthy era. Yet, this time, it was inspired not by Republicans but by Democrats and their liberal allies.