PASS THE MEASURING AMERICAN POVERTY ACT OF 2009
August 2009
This month, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced the Measuring American Poverty Act of 2009 in the Senate. Its companion bill was introduced in the House by Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) in July. If passed, the Act would update the current poverty measure to reflect the economic and social realities Americans face today.
The traditional poverty measure was created in the 1960s and does not take into consideration differences in geographic location, safety net supports, or income assistance. The new measure is based on the current cost of food, clothing, shelter, and other basic necessities. This bill would not affect eligibility for federal programs or change the allocation of federal funds; both would continue to be tied to the current measure.
This important legislation will go a long way toward helping legislators, advocates, and community leaders understand the problem of persistent poverty in the U.S. If our aim is to cut poverty in half over the next ten years, we will need to accurately access need and measure our progress.
Support the Network's MAP Act Campaign: Take Action Now!
Urge your representatives to Support the Measuring American Poverty Act of 2009:
* Email your Representative and Senators or print and send them a postcard today!
* Contact members of the Progressive Caucus and urge them to support the MAP Act!
UPDATES:
The Women of Color Policy Network sends Representative Jim McDermott a letter of support
Articles written by C. Nicole Mason on the Poverty Measure:June 2009
RESOURCES:
Measuring American Poverty Act of 2009 (H.R. 2909):
Support for the Measuring American Poverty Act (2008):
Commentary: Fighting poverty in the land of opportunity. McClatchy Washington Bureau. Dec 17 2008
Improving the Poverty Measurement, Discussion Paper. The Brookings Institute. December 2008, Vol 17
Improving the Measurement of Poverty, Policy Brief. The Brookings Institute. December 2008
Half in 10, Letter of Support, Nov. 7, 2008
Mayor Villaraigosa of the City of Los Angeles, Letter of Support, Sept. 24, 2008
AARP, Letter of Support, Sept. 24, 2008
NYC Center for Economic Opportunity. An Alternative to the Federal Poverty Measure. July 13, 2008
NYC Press Clippings on Poverty Measure, July 11-28, 2008
The United States Conference of Mayors: Revising the Federal Measure of Poverty, adopted June 15, 2009
