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RECENT UPDATES
01/26/10
Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Releases December Food Stamp Participation Analysis
Kentucky’s participation in SNAP (formerly food stamps) increased by 7,018 people from November to December 2009. The total number of people now receiving SNAP benefits is 764,669 which is 83,710 more people than this time last year, marking a 12.3 percent increase.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
01/26/10
Kentucky’s Ranking on Tracking Federal Recovery Spending Improved Dramatically
A Good Jobs First report released today finds Kentucky’s ranking improved dramatically in comparison with other states in how well it tracks federal recovery spending and promotes government accountability. Kentucky’s website for general recovery spending information, Kentucky at Work, ranks 2nd out of all 50 states. This is marked improvement since August 2009, when the initial report was released and Kentucky ranked 47th in the country.
Press Release (pdf)
01/22/10
Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Releases December Unemployment Analysis
Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased to 10.7 percent in December. This marks a slight increase over last month’s rate of 10.6 percent and an increase of 3.1 percentage points since last December. Kentucky’s rate remains 0.7 percentage point higher than the national rate of 10 percent.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
01/20/10
Structural Deficit Continues to Plague Kentucky
The end of the recession will not bring the end of Kentucky’s financial challenges. The slow and persistent decline in the growth of state revenues can only be remedied if legislators intentionally balance the tax structure to provide adequate revenues that prove stable and predictable over time.
Report (pdf) | Press Release (pdf)
01/15/10
Kentucky Needs a Balanced Approach to Ease Economic Troubles
A new report, released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates analyzes how budget shortfalls have been handled thus far and makes the case that it is time for the Governor and Legislators to take a balanced approach that includes new revenue measures.
Report (pdf) | Press Release (pdf)
01/11/10
2010 Safe Routes to School Kentucky Network Kick-Off Meeting
Kentucky Youth Advocates is pleased to announce that the Safe Routes to School National Partnership selected Kentucky to participate in the 2010 and 2011 phase of the State Network Project.
A kick-off telephone meeting will be held on February 25, 2010 at 2:30pm. We invite government agencies, policy makers and non-profits from around the state working on health, equity, transportation, youth, environmental and smart growth issues to join us.
01/08/10
Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Releases December Revenue Receipt Analysis
December 2009 General Fund revenue receipts are down 8.3 percent compared to revenue that came in December last year. Revenues can fall 0.8 percent between now and June 30, 2010, and still meet the official revenue estimate for FY 2010, according to a statement from the Office of State Budget Director released today.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
01/07/10
2010 Budget Briefing
Join Kentucky Youth Advocates, and others from across the state, to discuss Kentucky's fiscal situation in greater detail. Come learn just how big Kentucky’s budget gap is, and what the options are for closing the gap.
Also, learn from an experienced state budget advocate, Jon Shure, Deputy Director of the State Fiscal Analysis Initiative of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, on how to talk about the budget crisis effectively.
Information | Agenda | Registration
12/30/09
Statement by Terry Brooks, Executive Director of Kentucky Youth Advocates on Frankfort's Revenue Debate
Yesterday’s considerable conversations around the impending budget crisis underscore a clear leadership challenge for Kentucky’s policymakers. In the upcoming session of the General Assembly, the Governor and the legislature need to embrace and enact a balanced approach to the budget that includes new revenue.
Statement (pdf)
12/22/09
Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Releases November Food Stamp Participation Rate
Kentucky’s participation in SNAP (formerly food stamps) increased by 5,407 people from October to November 2009. The total number of people now receiving SNAP benefits is 757,651, which is 90,172 more people than this time last year, marking a 13.5 percent increase.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
12/21/09
Statement by Brigitte Blom Ramsey on Official Revenue Estimates by the Consensus Forecasting Group
The Consensus Forecasting Group met today to determine official revenue estimates for the 2011 - 2012 budget, as well as an estimate of revenues for the remainder of 2010.
Statement (pdf)
12/21/09
Efforts to Keep Families Together Provide Immediate and Long-term Savings for the Commonwealth
The report finds that the Commonwealth can save money in the long run and decrease the number of children neglected and abused by working with families to address their problems so they can stay together safely, instead of placing the children in foster homes or residential facilities.
Issue Brief (pdf) | Press Release (pdf)
12/18/09
Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Releases November Unemployment Rate Analysis
Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased to 10.6 percent in November. This marks a slight decrease over last month’s rate of 11.3 (revised from 11.2) percent and an increase of 3.4 percentage points since last November.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
12/17/09
Economic Recovery Act Keeping Roughly 100,000 Kentuckians Out of Poverty in Recession
Along with boosting the economy and saving and creating jobs, seven provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) passed in February are also protecting about 102,000 Kentuckians from poverty this year according to a new study from Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Report (pdf) | Press Release (pdf)
12/16/09
Child Safety the Focus of 2009 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book
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This 19th annual edition of the County Data Book provides state‐ and county‐level data on child population, child poverty, and key indicators of safety, including child and teen deaths, child abuse and neglect, and juvenile justice. 2009 County Data Book | Press Release (pdf) |
12/11/09
Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Releases November Revenue Receipt Analysis
November 2009 General Fund revenue receipts are up 2.4 percent compared to revenue that came in November last year. For the first time in 11 months, General Fund receipts increased.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
11/24/09
Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Releases October Food Stamp Participation Rate
Kentucky’s participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increased by 11,793 people from September to October 2009. The total number of people now receiving SNAP benefits is 752,244, which is 82,653 more people than this time last year, marking a 12.3 percent increase.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
11/20/09
Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Releases October Unemployment Rate Analysis
Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased to 11.2 percent in October. This marks a slight increase over last month’s rate of 10.9 percent and an increase of 4.3 percentage points since last October. Kentucky’s rate remains 1 percentage point higher than the national rate of 10.2 percent.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
11/18/09
New Report Finds Kentucky Middle Class Bearing Greater Tax Burden than Wealthy
Low- and middle-income families in Kentucky pay a higher proportion of their income in state and local taxes than do the wealthiest families in Kentucky, according to a report released today by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy entitled, Who Pays? A Distributional Analysis of the Tax Systems in all 50 States.
Report (pdf) | Press Release (pdf)
11/17/09
New county-level education data available for Kentucky on the KIDS COUNT Data Center
Kentucky's high school graduation rate continued to rise in school year 2008 to 85 percent, up from 84 percent in school year 2007. Also, the number of incidents of corporal punishment in schools declined slightly from 2,847 in 2007 to 2,512 in 2008.
2008 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book (pdf) | KIDS COUNT Data Center (pdf)
11/11/09
Kentucky Tax & Budget Initiative Releases October Revenue Receipt Analysis
October 2009 general fund revenue receipts are down 4 percent compared to October of last year. For the first four months of FY 2010, revenues are down 5.2 percent. According to a statement from the Office of State Budget Director,
tax revenues need to increase 0.2 percent over the final eight months of the year to meet the Consensus Forecasting Group's projections.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
11/11/09
Report Shows How Safe Routes to School Makes Changes
On November 10, 2009 the Safe Routes to School National Partnership released a report highlighting the progress achieved at state and local levels, including major accomplishments, lessons learned and next steps. One of the hallmarks of the project was Safe Routes to School's ability to bring together the state departments of transportation, health and education to improve programs and policies through a health lens.
Report (pdf) | Press Release (pdf)
11/06/09
Kentucky Youth Advocates to Join Debate on Kentucky Tonight
As the 2010 legislative session approaches, Kentucky's leaders prepare for the biennial fiscal year budget. Terry Brooks, Executive Director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, will appear on KET's Kentucky Tonight, Monday November 9th, to discuss state tax reform with host Bill Goodman. Other guests will include: State Representative Jim Wayne, State Representative Bill Farmer, and Andy Hightower, Executive Director of the Kentucky Club for Growth.
Tune in to KET1 on November 9th at 8/7 CT. Viewers with questions or comments can email kytonight@ket.org.
10/28/09
Kentucky Tax & Budget Initiative Releases September Food Stamp Participation Analysis
Kentucky’s participation in the Food Stamp Program
increased by 1,144 people in September 2009. There were 739,307 participants in August 2009, and 740,451 participants in September 2009. Since September 2008, the number of participants increased
by 84,452 individuals, marking a 13 percent increase since last year.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
10/27/09
Census Data Reveals Striking Poverty Rates in Kentucky Counties
Today the Census Bureau released poverty data on Kentucky counties with populations of 20,000 or more. Of these 55 counties, 41 have higher rates of poverty than the national average of 13.2 percent. Of these 41 counties, 27 have higher rates of poverty than the state average of 17.3 percent. Of the 44 counties with child populations over 20,000, three have child poverty rates higher than 40 percent: Floyd, Harlan, and Perry. These geographic variations within the state display the need for continued support and intervention for struggling individuals and families.
Press Release (pdf)
10/21/09
Kentucky Economic Watch Releases September Unemployment Analysis
Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased to 10.9 percent in September 2009. This marks a slight decrease of 0.3 percent since August, and the first decrease in the number of unemployed since November 2007. Despite the decrease, Kentucky’s unemployment rate is 1.1 percent higher than the U.S. rate of 9.8 percent and 4 percentage points higher than it was in September of 2008.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
10/12/09
Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Launches Kentucky Economic Watch
Kentucky Youth Advocates' Tax and Budget Initiative introduces Kentucky Economic Watch today. This new effort will provide consistent and comprehensive analysis of the three most telling data points reflecting the reality of Kentucky's economic climate; state General Fund revenue receipts, the state unemployment rate, and food stamp participation rates. The following examination of September's revenue receipts marks the first of the series.
Press Release (pdf) | Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
10/12/09
Statement by Terry Brooks on the Consensus Forecasting Group Planning Estimates
The Consensus Forecasting Group met today to produce planning estimates for Governor Beshear and state agencies to use in drafting the 2011 and 2012 budget. The group of economic experts determined revenue growth is likely to turn around over the course of the two year period, but will do so slowly. To date, there is nothing to indicate Kentucky’s economy is beginning to grow.
Statement (pdf)
10/05/09
International Walk to School Day, Eight Kentucky Communities to Participate
Wednesday, October 7th will be a day for children across Kentucky to walk back in time. Several Kentucky communities will celebrate International Walk to School Day by teaching safe walking and biking skills, encouraging kids to walk or bike to school and promoting walking and biking throughout the year. Schools in Bowling Green, Lexington, Louisville, Murray, Paris and Versailles are among those that are participating.
Press Release (pdf)
09/29/09
New Report Finds Low-Income Families Struggle to Access Affordable, Good-Quality Child Care
A study released today by the National Women’s Law Center on child care policies reveals that between February of 2008 and February of 2009 more states made cuts than made improvements in desperately needed child care assistance, worsening an already bleak landscape for parents trying to afford reliable child care.
Press Release (pdf)
09/29/09
Number of Children Living in Poverty Remains High in Kentucky, Census Bureau Reports
Kentuckians were equally likely to be poor in 2008 than when the last recession bottomed out in 2001, according to Census Bureau data released today. The figures for 2008 likely will be worse for 2009, when the full force of the recession deepened and unemployment rose.
Press Release (pdf)
09/22/09
Kentucky’s Median Household Income Ranks 48th, Seven Percent of Kentucky Children Uninsured, Census Bureau Reports
According to the Census Bureau data released today, the income of the median Kentucky household in 2008 was stagnate at $41,538 - $507 less than in 2006 and $276 less than in 2007. Also, the Census Bureau released additional health insurance data focusing on specific demographics. In Kentucky, 69,973 children 18 and under are uninsured. A greater percentage of Kentucky children are insured than in the U.S. and Indiana.
Press Release (pdf)
09/16/09
Racial Disparities in Juvenile Justice in Kentucky and
Identified Needs for System Change
A report released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates measures the level of disproportionality at key decision-making points within Kentucky’s juvenile justice system, with data as recent as 2008. The report finds that not only do youth encounter disparate treatment at each stage, but those disparities are compounded as they move further into the system.
Report (pdf) | Press Release (pdf)
09/14/09
Kentucky Youth Advocates to Join Debate on Kentucky Tonight
In light of State Budget Director Mary Lassiter’s recent discussion with the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue about planned budget cuts, Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, will appear on Kentucky Tonight as a part of a panel to discuss the implications of recent budget decisions.
Other guests include Sheila Schuster, executive director of the Advocacy Action Network, Warren Rogers, chair of the Kentucky Club for Growth, and Kathy Gornik, chair of the board of directors of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions.
Tune in to KET1 September 14, 2009 at 8/7 CT. Viewers with questions or comments may email kytonight@ket.org.
09/10/09
New Census Bureau Data Show Lack of Health Insurance and Continued Decline in Job-Based Coverage
Roughly one in seven Kentuckians lacked health coverage in 2007 and 2008, according to Census Bureau data released today, and employer-provided health insurance continued to decline nationwide. These findings, which will almost certainly worsen in 2009 because of the recession, highlight the need for realistic and common sense reform to our health care system.
Press Release (pdf)
09/09/09
More than Just Numbers on a Page: State Programs Help Kentuckians
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In an effort to engage Kentuckians in a discussion on the need for statewide tax reform, Kentucky Youth Advocates has released four video interviews, over the past month, with individuals from across the state who are receiving or who have received help from state-funded programs or services. |
For more information about the program featured in this week's video, Kentuckians Encouraging Youth to Succeed (KEYS), view an accompanying Fact Sheet (pdf).
8/19/09 Video #1 |
8/26/09 Video #2 |
9/02/09 Video #3 |
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Domestic Violence Programs |
Services for Disabled Adults |
Services for At-Risk Children |
08/27/09
Language Access Services in Health Care Still Lacking in Kentucky
A basic requirement of high quality health care is the ability for health care professionals and their patients to be able to understand and communicate with each other. Despite federal law which requires health care providers to offer language access services to individuals who are learning English, many providers fall short, according to a report released today.
Report (pdf) | Executive Summary (pdf) | Executive Summary (Spanish)
Press Release (pdf) | Press Release (Spanish)
08/05/09
Focus of First Week of August is National Breastfeeding Awareness
Despite the fact that breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for infants and is associated with numerous positive outcomes for both babies and mothers, Kentucky has the second lowest rate in the nation of babies who were ever breastfed and the third lowest rate of babies breastfeeding at six months of age, as of 2006.
Press Release (pdf) | 2008 County Data Book | KIDS COUNT Data Center
08/03/09
Kentucky Ranks Poorly on Tracking of Federal Stimulus Dollars
A Good Jobs First report released today finds that Kentucky does a poor job of tracking federal stimulus spending and promoting government accountability. The state’s website for general stimulus spending information tied for 47th and the Department of Transportation’s public information specific to highway project spending tied for 50th.
Press Release (pdf)
07/28/09
Kentucky Remains 41st in National KIDS COUNT Ranking
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For the second year in a row Kentucky ranks 41st in the nation in over-all child well-being according to the national 2009 KIDS COUNT Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The annual publication uses the best available data to measure the educational, social, economic, and physical well-being of children in each state. This year marks the 20th edition of the book. |
2009 Data Book | Press Release (pdf) | Fact Sheet (pdf)
07/10/09
Fines in Effect for Parents Who Violate Booster Seat Law
A new booster seat law went into effect on July 15, 2008 requiring parents of children under seven years old and between forty and fifty inches tall to have their children ride in a booster seat. Since that time law enforcement has been issuing courtesy warnings to parents violating the law, however as of June 30, 2009 violaters will have to pay a $30 fine. Pass on the links below to parents you know who might be interested in this information!
Kentucky's New Booster Seat Law (doc)
Nueva ley de asiento elevado de Kentucky (doc, spanish version)
07/07/09
Oped: Kentucky Needs More Tax Reform, Fewer Tax Credits
A melancholy and familiar song is playing again: the Kentucky Budget Blues. We've been hearing the song for the past decade, but over the past three years the volume has increased as state leaders made cuts to balance the budget, with each shortfall worse than the last.
Oped by Terry Brooks in Herald-Leader
06/30/09
Increasing the Minimum Wage Rate: A Net Benefit in Kentucky
The minimum wage is set to increase to $7.25 on July 1st, meaning larger paychecks for approximately 100,000 workers currently making the minimum wage in Kentucky. Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates released a policy brief analyzing the expected impacts on Kentuckians, finding that the wage increase will help working families by increasing their incomes and benefit Kentucky’s economy by increasing spending.
Report (pdf) | Press Release (pdf)