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White House is 'close' on Japan, India tariff agreements but expect them to be light on specifics; Families in limbo following federal energy assistance program cuts- we have reports from NH and MD; NV adopted CA's 'clean car' standard, rule now under GOP examination.

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Educators worry about President Trump's education plan, as federal judges block several of his executive orders. Battles over voting rules are moving in numerous courts. And FSU students protest a state bill lowering the age to buy a gun.

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Migration to rural America increased for the fourth year, technological gaps handicap rural hospitals and erode patient care, and doctors are needed to keep the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians healthy and align with spiritual principles.

Richmond’s declining poverty rate raises questions

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Friday, October 4, 2024   

The most recent census figures show a significant drop in poverty in the Richmond metro area - and are being met with skepticism.

The American Community Survey reports the poverty rate in the metro area fell to 9.9% last year, down from 10.7% the previous year. Richmond City's rate is still higher, at more than 17%, although that's a notable drop from 21.7% in 2022.

Jay Speer, executive director of the Virginia Poverty Law Center, is unconvinced that these figures reflect real progress.

"First of all, I think the way we measure poverty is way, way, way too low," he said. "There's so many people struggling economically, trying to make enough money to pay the rent and utilities and all those sorts of things, that to say only 9% of people are in poverty just seems crazy to me."

In 2023, poverty-level income was about $31,000 for a family of four, and less than $16,000 for an individual. While conservative think tanks advocate for boosting businesses in the Commonwealth as a solution, others propose income support programs and universal health care as more equitable approaches.

Statewide, Virginia's poverty rate stands at 10.2%. The state's minimum wage has increased to $12 an hour, but Speer said he believes this is still insufficient to lift many families out of poverty. He contended that the federal poverty line also doesn't reflect real living costs, especially in high-rent areas such as Richmond.

"Basically, what I'm telling you is what I see, and I think a lot of this is sort of common sense," he said. "What does $12 get you for an hour's work? Or even $15, which a lot of people say is a living wage."

Speer shared his skepticism about poverty measurements with labor leader The Rev. William Barber, suggesting the census figures may mislead people into thinking the situation is improving. And stark disparities persist between urban and rural areas. Northern Virginia's poverty rate is lower than Richmond's, while regions such as Southside and Southwest Virginia still face higher poverty levels.

Disclosure: Virginia Poverty Law Center contributes to our fund for reporting on Civil Rights, Housing/Homelessness, Poverty Issues, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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