Livable Wages/Working Families / Public News Service

AARP says currently, civil law enforcement tools, namely injunctions and monetary orders, are insufficient in stopping scam operations and getting victims' money refunded. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 12, 2025

Plans advance for fraud restitution fund in MN

Fear, shame, and helplessness are feelings Minnesota fraud victims describe after losing their life savings to a scam. They're hopeful about a path …

Two-thirds of Virginians who receive SNAP benefits have a child in the house, and 36% are in working families. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 12, 2025

Bill would allow SNAP recipients to seek paid job training without losing benefits

A new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives could make it easier for people to get job training while they're receiving federal food assistance…

The primary reasons for evictions in Utah are lease violations and nonpayment of rent, according to the Utah Housing Coalition. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 12, 2025

New Utah coalition aims to improve landlord-tenant relationships

Keeping more renters in their homes is one goal of a new Utah initiative. The Utah Housing Coalition has formed a Landlord and Community Partners …

Consumer advocates are asking the California Legislature to allow needy families to defer utility payments during times of hardship. (Golib Tolibov/Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 12, 2025

Consumer groups press for reform to limit electricity costs

Supporters of the Campaign for Affordable Power are pressing state lawmakers to pass a series of reform bills aimed at big investor-owned utilities li…

Results of a survey by Small Business for America's Future show concern about the direction of the economy, with a majority of the 862 respondents uncertain about navigating current economic conditions. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 12, 2025

Nebraska small businesses navigate Trump tariff uncertainty

Results of a new survey of nearly 900 small business owners across the country show they are concerned about an uncertain economy, including the …

In 2022, Arkansas received about $13.6 billion in federal assistance, including money transferred to Arkansas's state government as well as funds sent directly to local entities within the state, such as cities and school districts. (janews094/Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 12, 2025

Tax hikes for rich Arkansans could save federal programs

As reports show the Trump administration is considering raising taxes on wealthy Arkansans to pay for its priorities, a new study from American …

Oregon Food Bank President Andrea Williams sits with dozens of kids, parents and advocates before entering the Oregon State Capitol. (Oregon Food Bank)

Monday, May 12, 2025

Salem 'snack-in' calls for food benefits for all OR children

Families gathered at the Oregon State Capitol for what they called a "snack-in" last week to call attention to child hunger across Oregon. …

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis recently said he will veto a measure passed to remove barriers set up 80 years ago that make it harder for workers to join a union, which have historically advocated for worker safety over profits. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 12, 2025

5,283 workers nationwide, including 83 in Colorado, killed on the job

In Colorado, 83 workers were killed on the job in 2023, according to the AFL-CIO's latest "Death on the Job" report. The report comes after the …

Mothers lose out on an average of $16,516 on income annually because of inequitable caregiving responsibilities, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research. That totals $450 billion annually for all moms across the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, May 9, 2025

Report: Moms spend 167% more time parenting than dads

Sunday is Mother's Day, and what moms may need most is a day off. Research shows that inequities persist in the amount of time moms and dads spend …

Ohio ranks eighth nationally in the number of children in rural communities who rely on Medicaid for health coverage, with 30% of rural kids enrolled. (Adobe Stock)

Health coverage holds up Ohio’s child care

Ohio's child care system is under strain and a new national report highlighted how Medicaid helps support the workforce behind early childhood care…

Under Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower, people who earned more than $400,000 a year paid a top tax rate of 92%. Today's top rate is 37%. (Adobe Stock)

Taxing the rich to pay for Trump priorities wouldn't slow economic growth

Reports of the Trump administration considering taxing wealthy Americans to pay for mass deportations and other priorities come on the heels of a new …

Overdraft fees originated during a time when consumers wrote and cashed checks more frequently so the checks would clear instead of bouncing. The amount of the fees has increased over time. (JJ Gouin/Adobe Stock)

Overdraft fees are here to stay, costing Texans thousands of dollars a year

Congress has overturned legislation which would have limited bank overdraft fees before the measure could go into effect. The Consumer Financial …

Latino students make informed and pragmatic choices to pay for college and the institutions intentionally serving them are making strides to ensure the price of a college degree is affordable. (Kateryna/Adobe Stock)

AR Latino students use various forms of aid to pay for college

Latino students in Arkansas and nationwide apply for financial aid at higher rates than some other ethnic groups but receive the lowest average awards…

Illinois residents pay the second-highest gasoline taxes in the country, according to WalletHub. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: High taxes number one concern for Illinois residents

High taxes and a weak economy are the top concerns of Illinois residents according to a new poll, with nearly half of those surveyed saying they …

Some 1.2 million Coloradans rely on Medicaid, including pregnant mothers, people with disabilities, working families and nearly 60% of people in nursing care facilities. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Medicaid cuts could impact 1 in 4 CO child care workers

CORRECTION: The name of the spokesperson from the Center for Law and Social Policy is Suzanne Wikle. She had been incorrectly identified as Suzanne …

More than 40% of families with an early childhood educator rely on one or more public assistance programs. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Medicaid cuts could hurt VA early childhood education workforce

As Republicans in Washington, D.C. consider steep cuts to Medicaid, a new report showed the early childhood education workforce in Virginia heavily …

The net loss of college educated people through migration from Nebraska to other states has more than quadrupled in the last decade, according to the Aksarben Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Omaha counters NE 'brain drain' with 'brain gain'

A new report shows housing and transportation are key factors that can keep young professionals from leaving Nebraska for opportunities elsewhere…

Advocates say the first year of the Inflation Reduction Act's tax credits for individuals, businesses and nonprofits benefited 160,000 Pennsylvanians and saved more than $260 million. (Adobe Stock)

New map reveals IRA investments boost clean energy projects in Pennsylvania

A new interactive map reveals how recent federal investments from the Inflation Reduction Act are driving clean-energy and climate-resiliency projects…

After a series of challenging health issues, Angelo Jimenez completed Roadrunner Food Bank's job training program and was offered a full-time role with the nonprofit. (rrfb.org)

New Mexico job training program returns to lift all boats

New Mexico's Roadrunner Food Bank is again offering job training after its program was temporarily suspended during the COVID pandemic. Teresa …

Business organizations say between 2017 and 2024, the cost of child-care in North Dakota increased 40% at traditional day care centers. (Adobe Stock)

ND set to offer new child care tax credit

Solving North Dakota's child-care crisis is taking another turn, with adoption of a new tax credit. The incentive is geared for employers who make …

Researchers said a new SkillsUSA and Northern Illinois University study is the most comprehensive to date on how many students are involved in apprenticeships, internships, courses and other work-based learning activities. (Adobe Stock)

IL apprenticeships on the rise but disparities remain

A new report shows Illinois youth now have more apprenticeship and internship opportunities, with an increase in women and minority participation but …

More than one in three Ohio parents with children under 5 report serious problems paying rent or mortgage, according to a statewide Groundwork Ohio poll. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio families left waiting as child tax credit stalls

A refundable child tax credit aimed at helping families with young children was proposed in Gov. DeWine's budget but was stripped out by the Ohio …

All employers in Oregon are now required to offer OregonSaves, a free service, to their employees if they do not already offer a retirement savings program. (Brian Jackson/Adobe Stock)

OR leads the way with state retirement savings plan

Oregonians have saved nearly $350 million for retirement through OregonSaves, a program allowing employees without workplace plans to automatically …

Research shows if Washington households saved about $95 a month, collectively they could erase the<br />taxpayer burden while ensuring themselves a decent standard of living in retirement. (Uwe/Adobe Stock)

WA on track to state retirement savings program

More than 1 million private sector workers nationwide have joined state retirement savings programs, which advocates for seniors said is a key step …

Nearly 28% of child-care workers are covered by Medicaid, and 43% of early educator families rely on one or more public safety nets such as Medicaid or SNAP to make ends meet. (saksit/Adobe Stock)

Report: AR child care workers could be hurt by cuts to Medicaid

CORRECTION: The name of the spokesperson from the Center for Law and Social Policy is Suzanne Wikle. She had been incorrectly identified as Suzanne …

Pennsylvanians will gather at the Capitol for a policy hearing at 9 a.m. Monday, followed by a rally at 10:15 a.m. Participants will then meet with lawmakers to advocate for a minimum wage increase and immigrants' rights. (Adobe Stock)

PA 'Day of Action' planned for higher minimum wage, immigrants' rights

Thousands are expected to rally in Harrisburg on Monday for a "Raise the Wage and Immigrant Rights Day of Action." More than 47,000 Pennsylvania work…

Reform advocates say people in America's prisons are often forced to work, and if they refuse or say they can't handle the working conditions, they can be punished. (Adobe Stock)

Coalition wants to end 'forced labor' in MN prisons

A Minnesota proposal is in the works that supporters say would end forced labor in correctional facilities. They note the 13th Amendment was adopted …

In Spring 2023, Arkansas created the Office of Early Childhood within the Arkansas Department of Education, which unifies the Arkansas early-childhood system. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Report: AR pre-K suffers from funding gap

A report by the National Institute for Early Education Research shows Arkansas needs to improve its reach with pre-K students. The state fell from …

Families in Colorado and across the nation spend up to 60% of their income on child care, the equivalent of a second mortgage or rent payment. (Adobe Stock)

Lack of affordable child care costs Colorado $2.7 billion annually

The lack of quality child care for infants and toddlers costs Colorado nearly $3 billion each year in lost earnings, productivity and revenue but an …

Inflation from supply chain issues and the risk of a recession have left Pennsylvania business owners unsure how much of a price hike consumers will accept, forcing breweries to decide how much cost they can absorb. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

PA breweries brace for difficult economy with Trump tariffs

By Anna Gustafson for the Pennsylvania Independent.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Pennsylvan…

A peaceful May Day demonstration will start at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, and end at the Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse. (Leonid Andronov/Adobe Stock)

'May Day' AZ protesters rally against Trump administration

Many Arizonans plan to show up at the State Capitol on Thursday, May Day, to protest potential cuts to safety net programs and advocate for public …

Some 56,000 military members, veterans and their families in Virginia are dually enrolled in military health insurance and Medicaid. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid cuts could impact veterans in VA, report finds

As Republican lawmakers in Washington, D.C., consider cuts to Medicaid, a new report has found thousands of veterans in Virginia could be affected…

Assembly Bill 55 would make it easier for birthing centers to accept Medi-Cal, which would expand options for new families. (Bosotochka/Adobe Stock)

Bills aim to strengthen CA health care as Congress considers cuts

Groups advocating for better access to health care have introduced what they call "Care4All California," a package of 13 bills designed to shore up th…

Wyoming teachers, firefighters and postal workers are some of the groups expected at the May Day rally Thursday in Casper. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming teachers, workers gather in Casper for May Day

Wyoming labor unions will gather Thursday in Casper in honor of May Day, a holiday celebrated in 80 countries commemorating the labor movement and …

Between the 2023-2024 school year and this year, average annual teacher pay in South Dakota increased by more than $3,000. (Adobe Stock)

SD makes noticeable jump in teacher pay rankings. Can it last?

New national rankings out this week show South Dakota jumped a few spots higher in teacher pay for each state. However, there are questions about …

Unlike the for-profit carriers such as FedEx and UPS, the U.S. Postal Service has a universal service obligation, which means it has to provide affordable deliveries to all Americans, regardless of where they live or work. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Privatizing USPS would hit Colorado rural residents hardest

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have proposed privatizing the United States Postal Service by selling it off to a corporation such as FedEx or UP…

Unlike Federal Express or United Parcel Service, the U.S. Postal Service must serve all Americans at uniform rates, delivering to remote areas private carriers often avoid. (Pixabay)<br />

MS could face steep postal privatization costs under Trump-Musk plan

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have proposed privatizing the United States Postal Service by selling it off to a corporation, such as Federal …

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations at the low end of earning potential in Green Bay include physical and social science jobs, and arts, design, entertainment, sports and media professions. (Adobe Stock).

Smart money management helps WI residents weather uncertain economy

April is Financial Literary Awareness Month and Wisconsinites worried about housing, grocery and transportation costs, or watching their retirement …

Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill to raise the minimum hourly wage to $15 by 2026. An amendment to the bill seeks to boost the wage to $29.51 by 2065. (Adobe Stock)

Labor groups reject Nebraska minimum wage compromise

Nebraska lawmakers have reached a compromise on a measure to roll back a minimum wage increase but labor group advocates said the deal goes against th…

In January, low-wage workers in Pennsylvania missed out on pay hikes seen in 23 other states.<br />(Elementary Coffee Co.)

PA business owner pushes for federal minimum wage hike

Low-wage workers in Pennsylvania haven't seen a minimum-wage increase in more than a decade, but a new bill with bipartisan support would change that…

Around 85% of first responders in the United States report experiencing symptoms related to mental health. (Adobe Stock)

Montana bill could cover PTSD treatment for first responders

A bill headed to the Montana governor's desk would qualify post-traumatic stress disorder under workers' compensation for the state's first responders…

Lawmakers are considering several bills that would impact small farmers, including bills that would require country-of-origin labels and allow the sale of raw milk at farmers markets. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

TX lawmakers consider bills to help small farmers, home food businesses

Members of a Texas House committee this week will consider a bill that would limit the number of permits farmers must have to participate at farmers m…

About 9% of Virginians receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (Adobe Stock)

VA students, local economies would suffer from possible SNAP cuts

As lawmakers on Capitol Hill discuss trillions in spending cuts, opponents warned students on SNAP and free school meal programs would suffer…

About 70% of households receiving energy assistance in Maryland include a person considered vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with a disability. (Adobe Stock)

Trump staff cuts threaten MD low-income utility assistance

The Trump administration is facing a backlash for firing all federal workers in a program helping thousands of Marylanders pay their heating and cooli…

Niesha Neal said she was tokenized and underpaid while working under former executive director Kelly McBride at the Domestic Violence Prevention Network from 2021 to 2022. (Jenna Waton/Mirror Indy)

Indiana survivor says nonprofit exploited her story

By Mary Claire Molloy for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press Indiana-Public …

In the state and local government sector in Kentucky, 6,400 injury and illness cases were reported in 2023, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Unions: NIOSH cuts will harm Kentucky workers

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to cut a cut a majority of jobs at the federal agency responsible for worker …

Of the nearly 30,000 fire departments in the United States, almost 19,000 are all volunteer. (Adobe Stock)

MN fire chiefs lean on ads, targeted messaging to boost depleted ranks

In many small Minnesota communities, city hall windows display "firefighters wanted" posters. Lack of interest is a reality local fire chiefs have to …

Of the more than 5 million families with young children who pay for child care each year, on average 2.2 million, or about 43%, pay unaffordable rates, according to a Center for American Progress report. (Adobe Stock)<br />

WV child care crisis expected to worsen as lawmakers fail to take action

West Virginia lawmakers continue their inaction on improving access to child care. House Bill 2026 would have allocated $32 million toward child …

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