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2010
Kentucky is 40th in KIDS COUNT Ranking of Child Well-Being 07/27/10
Kentucky ranks 40th in the nation in over-all child well-being according to the national 2010 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.
Kentuckians experiencing long-term unemployment will receive much needed help after Congress showed great leadership by moving to add extra weeks of jobless benefits, originally provided by the Recovery Act.
Detrimental Budget Cuts Will Stall Kentucky’s Progress 05/28/10
In many ways, this session has been about a few wise investments and many lost opportunities. While policymakers clearly faced a challenge to balance the budget during the recession, we were pleased to see some thoughtful investments that will help Kentuckians now and save the state money down the road. However, policymakers missed a key opportunity to apply this same level of thoughtfulness to tax breaks.
2010 Bicycle Friendly State Rankings Announced 05/21/10
To coincide with Bike to Work Day and Bike to Work Week, the League of American Bicyclists announced the third annual Bicycle Friendly State (BFS) rankings. Kentucky ranked 22nd this year, compared to 27th in 2009 and 29th in 2008.
Louisville Residents Invited to Join National Discussion on Debt 05/20/10
Louisville is one of eighteen sites for an unprecedented national discussion on the national debt. The nonpartisan process, called AmericaSpeaks: Our Budget, Our Economy, will bring together Americans here and across the country to meet in person and online to learn about the issues involved, weigh the options and develop recommendations for leaders in Washington.
Success Starts with Reading: Reading by the End of Third Grade Declared a National Priority 05/18/10
The Annie E. Casey Foundation and a range of partners are focusing attention on the critical importance of achieving grade-level reading proficiency for all children by the end of third grade. The ability to read is central to a child’s success in school, life-long earning potential, and ability to contribute to the nation’s economy and its security.
This new national emphasis on reading success is introduced by a special KIDS COUNT report, Early Warning: Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters.During Special Session Legislators must Compromise on Budget, Not on Progress 05/12/10
With the special session scheduled to begin on May 24, the General Assembly’s approach to the budget may never be more important than it is right now. Their actions in the midst of the recession can put Kentucky on a path to growth when the economy recovers or can severely impede our progress as a state and put us at a long-term disadvantage relative to our neighbors.
After sixty days in Frankfort, nothing has changed and no budget decisions were made in what can only be described as a disappointing lack of leadership. The upcoming special session presents a new opportunity for legislators to put the failed negotiations behind them. It is crucial that legislators adopt a balanced approach to Kentucky’s economic problem, one that combines new revenue with carefully considered efficiencies.
50- State Report: Kentucky is Most Transparent 03/13/10
Kentucky received the top grade for openness of government spending, according to FOLLOWING THE MONEY: How the 50 States Rate in Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data,” a national report released on Tuesday by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
Senate Education Committee Votes to Raise Graduation Age 03/23/10
With the passage of HB 301 this morning the Senate Education Committee moved the General Assembly one step closer to a key policy that supports Kentucky’s kids today and will bolster our economy for the future. Raising the legal dropout age from 16 to 18 will align Kentucky’s law with the 21st century reality where a high school diploma is required for most mainstream jobs.
Senate Proposes Zero-Sum Game with Kentucky Losing 03/23/10
Contrary to the thinking that is guiding the Senate’s budget proposal, being a low-cost state for business will not make Kentucky the envy of the nation and spur economic development. Rather, the Senate’s focus on cost-cutting may irreversibly harm the quality of the one input that is truly attractive to companies looking to do business in Kentucky – human capital.
Kentucky’s Children and Families Are Big Winners in Last Night’s Vote for Historic Health Reform 03/22/10
The House of Representatives took an historic step in support of America’s children and families by passing health reform legislation, yesterday evening. By creating reliable, affordable coverage options that don’t disappear when a parent becomes sick or loses a job, the legislation protects and strengthens the well-being and financial stability of our nation’s children and their families.
Message to Senate: Smart Budgeting Today is Key to Building Prosperous Future for Kentuckians 03/19/10
Budgeting during difficult times presents its own set of challenges. By adhering to the following smart budgeting practices, policymakers can minimize harm to individuals, families, and businesses and can avoid further damage to our economy already made fragile by the recession.
Message to House: Kentucky Needs a Balanced Approach to Budget Shortfall 02/17/10
Lawmakers currently face a $1.5 billion gap between what it will take to meet people's needs over the next two years and how much Kentucky has available for the state budget. A new report offers several concrete strategies Kentucky lawmakers can use to increase revenue and balance the budget responsibly.
Statement by Terry Brooks, Executive Director, Kentucky Youth Advocates on HB301 03/04/10
Today House members showed a real commitment to the youth of Kentucky and to the future of our Commonwealth by voting to raise the mandatory age of school attendance to 18. In these tough economic times, we need to prioritize policies that position our state to move ahead and this bill does exactly that.
Jefferson County Youth Development Leaders Gather for KIDS COUNT Conversation 2/25/10
Some 85 leaders and staff of youth development organizations in Jefferson County are gathering at Metro United Way today to talk about issues that face youth in the area, and ways that they can collaborate to make positive changes for kids.
Child Advocates Gather in Frankfort to Push Blueprint for Kentucky's Children Agenda 02/18/10
Over 800 Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth are gathering in Frankfort today for Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol. They are urging legislators to make Kentucky’s children a priority when making decisions this session. Participants come with a common agenda, known as the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children.
Message to House: Kentucky Needs a Balanced Approach to Budget Shortfall 02/17/10
Lawmakers currently face a $1.5 billion gap between what it will take to meet people's needs over the next two years and how much Kentucky has available for the state budget. A new report offers several concrete strategies Kentucky lawmakers can use to increase revenue and balance the budget responsibly.
Statement from Terry Brooks, Executive Director, Kentucky Youth Advocates on HB 301 02/16/10
The House Education Committee took action to stimulate Kentucky’s economy this morning by sending a bill to the full House to raise the mandatory age of school attendance to age 18. A high school diploma is, in fact, the best economic stimulus any individual can have in the long term, and the economic benefits extend to the state as well.
Kentucky’s Ranking on Tracking Federal Recovery Spending Improved Dramatically 01/26/10
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.
The slow and persistent decline in the growth of state revenues can only be remedied if state legislators intentionally balance the tax structure to provide adequate revenues that prove stable and predictable over time.
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.
2009
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.
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.
Economic Recovery Act Keeping Roughly 100,000 Kentuckians
Out of Poverty in Recession 12/17/09
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.
Child Safety the Focus of 2009 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book 12/16/09
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.
New Report Finds Kentucky Middle Class Bearing Greater Tax Burden than Wealthy 11/18/09
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 Shows How Safe Routes to School Makes Changes 11/11/09
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.
Census Data Reveals Striking Poverty Rates in Kentucky Counties 10/27/09
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.
Kentucky Tax and Budget Initiative Launches Kentucky Economic Watch 10/12/09
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.
Statement by Terry Brooks on the Consensus Forecasting Group Planning Estimates 10/12/09
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.
International Walk to School Day, Eight Kentucky Communities to Participate 10/05/09
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.
New Report Finds Low-Income Families Struggle to Access Affordable, Good-Quality Child Care 09/29/09
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.
Number of Children Living in Poverty Remains High in Kentucky, Census Bureau Reports 09/29/09
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.
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.
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.
New Census Bureau Data Show Lack of Health Insurance and Continued Decline in Job-Based Coverage 09/10/09
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.
Language Access Services in Health Care Still Lacking in Kentucky, Servicios de Traducción en Oficinas de Salud Son Todavía Deficientes en Kentucky 08/27/09
A basic requirements 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.
Kentucky Youth Advocates Releases Video Series on Budget Impacts 08/19/09
In an effort to engage Kentuckians in a discussion on the need for fundamental
reform of our tax and budget structure, Kentucky Youth Advocates is releasing four video
interviews – one every Wednesday, over the next four weeks – with individuals across the state
who are receiving or who have received help from state‐funded programs or services. The
individuals share their personal stories and what it would mean if budget cuts were to affect
their programs.
Focus of First Week of August is National Breastfeeding Awareness 08/05/09
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.
Kentucky Ranks Poorly on Tracking of Federal Stimulus Dollars 08/03/09
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.
Kentucky Remains 41st in National KIDS COUNT Ranking 07/28/09
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.
Increasing the Minimum Wage Rate: A Net Benefit in Kentucky 06/30/09
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.
Confusing Financial Options Lead Many Kentuckians into Cycle of Debt
Focus Study Uncovers Experiences with Payday Lending and Other High‐Cost Financial Services 06/29/09
In an effort to hear the real effects that payday lending and other high‐cost financial services have on Kentucky’s low‐income families, Kentucky Youth Advocates conducted a qualitative research study consisting of focus groups and interviews. The findings of the study, along with recommendations for addressing the burden of high‐cost financial products, are explained in the report released today.
Secure detention for youth who commit status offenses is not only the most expensive approach but it is also the least effective.
Statement by Terry Brooks on Governor Beshear’s Amended Call for Slots 06/04/09
It is encouraging to note that Governor Beshear has already amended his call for the special session to include an additional revenue source. We agree with the governor about the importance of the horse industry to the Commonwealth. Kentucky’s most precious resource – its children and families – is also in crisis.
Today’s hearing on comprehensive tax reform is an encouraging first step in tackling Kentucky’s out-of-date tax system -- a discussion that is long overdue. We can be sure that the kind of budget deficit we are facing over the next two years will continue to be a problem down the road unless we modernize our tax and revenue system.
Statement by Terry Brooks on Governor Beshear's Call for a Special Session 06/03/09
The Governor’s call today for a special session does not allow the legislature to consider revenue increasing options. He should amend the call so that targeted and strategic revenue options are on the table. Only then will legislators have the ability to eliminate the deficit with a balanced package of solutions and improve the economic resilience of the Commonwealth.
Statement by Terry Brooks, Executive Director, Kentucky Youth Advocates, on the Revenue Revision of the Consensus Forecasting Group 05/30/09
Today, the Consensus Forecasting Group released its official estimate of a $996 million shortfal for fiscal year 2010. Kentucky’s policy makers need to consider every option in order to eliminate the deficit through a balanced package of solutions.
The expected $7 billion that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will bring to Kentucky over the next two years will help mitigate the $800 million to $1.4 billion budget shortfall for 2010 but the temporary relief will not solve the long-term structural budget problems the Commonwealth has faced for years.
Statement of Terry Brooks on Gov. Beshear's Commitment to Cap Interest Rates on Payday Loans to 36% 03/25/09
Today, Governor Beshear released a statement saying in the 2010 legislative session he will work with his colleagues in the House and Senate to cap the annual interest rate payday lenders can charge to 36% which is the same rate the federal government imposes on what can be charged to our military personnel.
Bill Needs Strengthened to Protect Families from Debt Trap, Payday Loans Bill Passes House Committee 02/25/09
Today the House Banking Insurance Committee passed HB 444 which introduces a database to track payday loans. However, the bill it not strong enough to truly address the cost of payday lending to families in Kentucky and is actually a weaker bill than a database bill passed on the House floor last year.
Current Budget Proposal Insufficent, Fail to Take Economy Into Account
02/02/09
As the General Assembly returns to Frankfort this week, policymakers will be making very important decisions on how to deal with a $456 million budget shortfall. None of the solutions put on the table take into account Kentucky's troubling economy nor strengthen the budget against a similar, possibly worse shortfall next year.
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