RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina's economy is hurting, yet residents can expect little in the way of federal relief.

U.S. Senate lawmakers have recessed without passing a fifth coronavirus relief package, meaning the earliest Americans could expect any form of aid would be mid-September.

According to census survey data, nearly half of North Carolina households included someone who had lost employment income between March and the end of July.

Lindsay Saunders, board member of the anti-poverty group RESULTS, said elected officials aren't treating the situation with the urgency it deserves.

"Our own Sen. Thom Tillis sits on the banking committee," Saunders said. "Our chapters across North Carolina have had multiple conversations with our senators' offices over the past few months. Those have been great conversations, but we're not getting clear answers on what they're willing to commit to in terms of assistance for North Carolinians who are really struggling."

Census survey data shows more than 34% of Latino households in North Carolina have experienced earnings losses since March 13, as have 55% of Black households, 44% of white households and 41% of Asian households.

More than 1.2 million people have applied for unemployment benefits since the start of the pandemic.

Earlier this week, Gov. Roy Cooper announced $175 million in funding to local governments to help residents with rent and utility payments.

Saunders said lawmakers' refusal to expand Medicaid has left more residents without options for coverage after losing their job or income during the pandemic.

She pointed out while the coronavirus crisis is making glaring disparities worse, there are concrete steps that could be taken.

"We also need to increase SNAP benefits to address food insecurity," Saunders said. "As I said, North Carolina is a really food-insecure state. And, raise the minimum benefit from $16 to $30 per month. Those are solutions we're calling for as advocates."

Saunders added since the onset of the pandemic, 21% of Latino households and 13% of white households with children in North Carolina reported "sometimes" or "often" not having enough to eat.


get more stories like this via email

A South Dakota legislative committee Monday debated proposals designed to help combat government fraud and there were clear differences of opinion on whether a key office should be given more powers.

Senate Bill 60 is one of a handful of measures this session following recent examples of former employees at various state agencies being accused of abusing their position for financial gain. The bill would expand the investigative reach of the state auditor.

Marty Jackley, South Dakota Attorney General, testified in support of the plan, noting his office has been busy with such cases.

"The Attorney General has brought five criminal cases," Jackley pointed out. "These investigations range from significant amounts of alleged $1.8 million to less significant amounts but still important taxpayer dollars."

Jackley argued the auditor needs more room to access the accounts and other financial records for all state agencies when looking at suspicious behavior. However, the Bureau of Finance and Management commissioner said existing state controls are catching such activity and additional resources are coming on board to help close gaps. Retail and banking leaders worry the plan would lead to government overreach.

In advancing the bill, a Senate committee added an amendment to exclude political subdivisions in giving the auditor account access. It was seen as a way to alleviate concerns about the motivations of future investigations.

Karl Adam, president of the South Dakota Bankers Association, told the panel it is one of his big concerns.

"This risk is especially high in politically charged environments, where investigations could be launched not based on merit, but on political motives, targeting opponents or shielding allies," Adam asserted.

In neighboring Minnesota, combating fraud is a big topic this year with outside rings accused of providing phony medical-related services for reimbursements. There are debates about tightening controls but also keeping social safety programs accessible.


get more stories like this via email

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2026 education budget proposal changes school funding, and some critics say it's unfair.

The formula hasn't changed in almost 20 years and uses poverty data from the 2000 census.

While advocates say the new formula improves school funding, some believe it could shortchange New York City Public Schools.

Randi Levine, policy director with Advocates for Children of New York, said this is because the formula uses the federal poverty measure.

"Making ends meet as a family of four on $30,000 is incredibly difficult in New York City, and means something very different in New York City than in other parts of the state," said Levine. "But, there are no updates in the formula to take into account those regional variations."

She said the formula's regional cost difference index is outdated too, but there are calls to update it.

Legislators will take a look during the elementary and secondary education budget hearing on January 29. Those looking to testify can learn more online at nyassembly.gov.

These concerns stem from a Rockefeller Institute study about updating New York's school funding formula. Levine said the study mentions other options that could fund schools statewide more fairly.

This includes giving higher weight to districts with higher student poverty rates. Levine said lawmakers must come together to fill the funding gap.

"We need our New York City state legislators to do all they can to ensure New York City students get the resources they need," said Levine. "It is not acceptable for New York City to lose funding that is supposed to go to helping low-income students get a high-quality education."

She added that the current formula's reliance on data from free and reduced-price lunch forms is outdated, since New York City has universal free meals.

Levine pointed out that another formula change, proposed by Hochul, is replacing eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch with a broader definition of economically disadvantaged students - which may more accurately reflect some students' needs.



get more stories like this via email

South Dakota lawmakers will soon resume debate on a budget-cutting plan targeting library services within the state.

Legislative committees are likely to take another look at Gov. Kristi Noem's proposal to reduce the State Library's main budget by more than $1 million, along with federal funding requiring a state match. A companion bill would repeal the agency's responsibilities.

Elizabeth Fox, president of the South Dakota Library Association and a librarian at South Dakota State University, warned the office would barely exist under the governor's approach. She said it now secures dozens of databases, which help students in many ways, like preparing for college entrance exams. Local branches benefit, too.

"There's medical databases," Fox pointed out. "If you go to the doctor and get told that you have something and you want to learn about it, the public library can help you do so through the databases provided by the State Library."

Fox noted while policymakers embracing these moves might argue about government efficiency, the State Library has purchasing power, which keeps costs lower. She argued taking away that ability would force school and municipal libraries to buy resources on their own when they are more expensive, putting pressure on local taxpayers.

As states try to fill workforce shortages, Fox feels such moves would set students back in charting a path for their professional lives.

"If this goes through, students will not even have a print index to find a journal article that they could go look in print," Fox explained. "It does put the state at a great disadvantage."

Other potential effects include the loss of library staff training for local sites and the use of a courier system allowing patrons to request a book from a different branch. Meanwhile, the national advocacy group EveryLibrary fears South Dakota's plans could be replicated by other states with similar budget motivations.


get more stories like this via email