Posts Tagged ‘census’

Everyone counts. Or do they?

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

From today’s Anniston Star:

More than 54,000 Alabamians were not counted in the U.S. Census nearly 10 years ago, researchers estimate.

To put that in perspective, that would be as if census-takers missed the entire cities of Anniston, Oxford and Jacksonville — combined.

. . .

Under-counted states receive less federal money, see a reduction in federal programs and miss opportunities for growth and expansion. Census figures aren’t mere facts or headlines. They lead to improvements in states’ futures, as well.

. . .

[I]f Alabama residents and census-takers produce a more accurate count, then the state stands a better chance of receiving more federal money for a host of worthwhile programs. That includes Medicaid, highway construction projects, free and reduced-lunch programs, Head Start and many others.

Likewise, the dollar-figure estimates are staggering. Gov. Bob Riley’s office says Alabama lost $546 million during the last decade due to an inaccurate census count. Numbers from the Brookings Institution use a higher estimate — $685 million.

In robust times, Alabama is hardly in a position to leave needed government funds on the table. But these are not robust times, and the upcoming fiscal years will be Siberian bleak. Getting an accurate count, and taking full advantage of the available opportunities, is critical to Alabama’s future.

Read the full text here.

Posted by Kristina Scott

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Posted in Economics & Employment, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Veterans and Poverty: Gender and age matter

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

On this Veteran’s Day, I thought I would look at how military service impacts economic security.

According to the Census Bureau, poverty is low among veterans. Only 5.6 percent of veterans lived in poverty in 1999 – or about half the rate for all adults, which was 10.9 percent.

However, our youngest veterans, those who served in August 1990 or later, were among the most likely to be poor, with a poverty rate of 6.2 percent. And, according to this story from the Boston Globe,  the VA says that the number of homeless women veterans is on the rise.

An estimated 6,500 female veterans end up homeless.  While that’s a relatively small number, it is twice was it was a decade ago. Again, younger veterans are more at risk: One out of every 10 homeless vets under the age of 45 is now a woman.  And many are single moms.

More from the Globe:

“Some of the first homeless vets that walked into our office were single moms,’’ said Paul Rieckhoff, executive director and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “When people think of homeless vets, they don’t think of a Hispanic mother and her kids. The new generation of veterans is made up of far more women.’’

Overall, female veterans are now between two and four times more likely to end up homeless than their civilian counterparts, according to the VA, most as a result of the same factors that contribute to homelessness among male veterans: mental trauma related to their military service and difficulty transitioning into the civilian economy.

I will be thinking about these women and their children when I give thanks to all the women and men who fight and fought for our country.  God Bless.

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Posted in Economics & Employment, Governance | 1 Comment »

Why We Need Health Care Reform

Friday, November 6th, 2009

The Center for American Progress put out interesting state-by-state fact sheets based on current Census data showing how our current health care system doesn’t meet our needs.

Check out Alabama’s fact sheet here

I will be in Perry County on Saturday speaking at Sowing Seeds of Hope’s Health Care Forum.  It is part of this Black Belt county’s Obama Day activities.

Posted by Kristina Scott

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Posted in Health Care | No Comments »

Taking the most from those who have the least

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

A new study from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows that Alabama families living in poverty pay higher income taxes than in any other state.

In the 2007 fiscal year, the average of state and local taxes collected per person in Alabama was $2,909. Mississippi finished 49th at $2,989. The national median was $4,011.

Alabama’s tax system is upside down, meaning it takes the most from those who have the least.  Average, middle class Alabama families pay 10 percent of their income in state and local taxes, compared to 5 percent for our wealthiest citizens.  And the poorest families – they pay 12 percent.

Here’s a link to the full study and the census data it was based on.

You might also enjoy this editorial cartoon from today’s Mobile Press Register.

Posted by Kristina Scott

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Posted in Economics & Employment | No Comments »

Help make sure Alabama counts

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

The US Census Bureau is gearing up for next year’s big count and APP hopes that you and nonprofits that you support will get involved.

2010 Census data will determine how much federal funding Alabama receives, set priorities for infrastructure improvements and draw district lines for our elected representatives.   

Low-income areas, immigrant neighborhoods, homeless individuals, minorities and the unemployed are most at risk for being under-counted.  And if a community is under-counted, it will also probably be under-funded and under-represented.  

The Census is a survey sent to every household in the United States every ten years.  It is available in multiple languages and is a legally confidential document.

Here are some specific ways that you can get involved to make the 2010 Census a huge success in your community:
 
• Contact your local U.S. Census Bureau office and find out how to partner with them.
 
• Have educational materials readily available at your nonprofit, house of worship or other community center.
 
• Sponsor a campaign or event in your community to raise awareness.
 
• Become a Be Counted site or a Questionnaire Assistance Center.
 
• Provide links and information about the Census on your website or in your emails.
 
For more information, materials and ideas visit the Nonprofit Counts website at www.nonprofitscount.org.

Posted by Haley Heckman

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Posted in Governance | No Comments »

Temporary Improvement in Alabama Poverty

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Alabama’s poverty rate dropped more than any other state’s in 2008 – but this improvement is likely to be temporary, given the state’s high rates of unemployment.

Here’s a rundown from the Associated Press via the Tuscaloosa News:

The numbers gathered by the U.S. Census reported that the number of people below the poverty line fell by 47,000 to 712,835. The drop was larger than any other state.

“The news in 2008 shows that Alabama was doing the right things,” said Kimble Forrister, director of Alabama Arise. “We were creating jobs.”

However, according to Forrister, the figures collected in 2008 reflected the poverty level before the recession hit.

“At the time our unemployment rate was better than the rest of the nation.”

Due to the recession, poverty levels will likely follow the rise in unemployment rates, resulting in a significant increase in poverty for 2009. Nationwide unemployment currently stands at 10.4 percent this September with Wilcox County being 25.4 percent.

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