The Suburbanization of Poverty

Flickr

A recent Penn Institute for Urban Research article reflects on demographic and economic changes since 2000.  It notes that “as poverty grew to record levels in the 2000s, it touched more people and places than before.”

Historically, poverty was largely associated with “distressed inner cities and declining and isolated rural communities.”  But in recent years, suburban poverty has markedly increased: the number of people living below the federal poverty line in suburbs grew by 65% between 2000 and 2012 — more than double the rate of growth in big cities and rural communities. 

The author notes that the “suburbanization of poverty” results from changes in the housing and labor markets.  For example, as cities are redeveloped and people move into the city, housing prices increase, prompting low-income individuals to move to more affordable areas outside the city.  And, in recent years, job sprawl has played a role — more and more low-wage jobs have moved to the suburbs.

The author notes that many suburban communities do not have the  municipal staff, charitable infrastructure, or institutional experience to address rapidly increasing poverty, nor do they have sufficient public transit or other services that help low-income individuals connect with opportunities and ascend the economic ladder.

Is there a “pink tax”?

flickr.com

A recent CNNmoney article highlights the findings of a study by New York City’s Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) on gender pricing differences for similar products. The article refers to these differences as “the pink tax.”

DCA’s study, entitled From Cradle to Cane: The Cost of Being a Female Consumer, compared 794 products with similar male and female versions sold online and in New York City stores. Products in the study had similar branding, ingredients, appearance, textiles, and construction, attempting to minimize the differences between men’s and women’s products. The industries compared in the study included (1) toys and accessories, (2) children’s clothing, (3) adult clothing, (4) personal care products, and (5) senior home health care products.

The study found that, on average, women’s products cost seven percent more than similar male products. The greatest deviation was in haircare products, where women’s products cost, on average, 48% more. In general, women’s products cost more than similar men’s products 42% of the time, whereas men’s products cost more 18% of the time.

According to the study, its findings suggest that women are paying, over a lifetime, thousands of dollars more than men to purchase similar items. It conceded that there may be legitimate reasons for some of the price differences, but it stated that paying higher prices is often unavoidable for women because they do not choose what textiles or ingredients are used in products marketed to them.

Medicaid Cost Sharing

OLR Report 2016-R-0007 describes the limits that federal law places on states from imposing cost sharing requirements on Medicaid recipients.

Federal Law (1) limits cost sharing to nominal amounts for recipients under 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and (2) allows for greater, though limited, cost sharing for individuals over 100% of the FPL.  States are prohibited by law from imposing cost sharing for (1) Medicaid emergency services or family planning services or supplies and (2) services for children under the age of 18 and pregnant women (42 USC § 1396o). 

Generally, most of Connecticut’s Medicaid recipients receive health care through one of the Department of Social Services’ HUSKY programs. (i.e., HUSKY A, C, and D), which do not require deductibles and copayments.

For more information, read the full report here.

Genetically Engineered Pork for Dinner?

Researchers from the University of Missouri and Kansas State University have genetically engineered a breed of pigs that are resistant to an incurable disease, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, Harvest Public Media reports. The virus spreads quickly through swine populations and often forces farmers to euthanize entire hog barns at a time.

The researchers are hoping that the genetically engineered pigs will be available as a dinner option in the future, assuming they can obtain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has approved a genetically engineered salmon for marketing in the United States, but it took the developer decades to gain approval. According to the Harvest Public Media report, other genetically engineered animals are in the works, including hypoallergenic cows.

Scientists remain concerned about consumer reaction and acceptance since “genetically modified food remains a hot-button issue.”

Medical Marijuana Restrictions and Insurance Coverage

OLR Reports 2015-R-0222 and 2015-R-0225 describe restrictions on medical marijuana consumption and current insurance coverage for medical marijuana in Connecticut.

Public Act 12-55 legalized palliative use of marijuana (“medical marijuana”) for a qualifying patient with a debilitating medical condition.  The law generally provides that patients who meet the law’s requirements must not be arrested, prosecuted, otherwise penalized, or denied any right or privilege for medical marijuana use. However, this protection does not apply if the patient’s marijuana use endangers the health or well-being of anyone other than themselves or their primary caregiver. OLR Report 2015-R-0222 identifies specific restrictions on medical marijuana use. 

While medical marijuana use is authorized for certain patients in Connecticut, insurers, generally, do not provide coverage for it because insurers only cover federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, and marijuana is not an FDA-approved drug. See OLR Report 2015-R-0225 for additional information on insurance coverage for medical marijuana.

Medical marijuana patients may not smoke within the line of sight of a minor or consume marijuana in a way that exposes a minor to secondhand smoke. Smoking is also prohibited in public places, in moving vehicles, at work, on school grounds, including college or university properties, or at a marijuana dispensary.

The Department of Consumer Protection has government oversight over medical marijuana dispensaries, licensing requirements, regulations and fees.

Sunlight Breaking Through Economic Clouds

The Connecticut Economic Digest’s recent review of national and state economic statistics finds reasons for cautious optimism about the national and state economy. The Digest, which is published jointly by the departments of labor and economic and community development, reported that the nation’s Real Gross Domestic Product is expected to increase by almost 3% this year, possibly reflecting the impact of the 11.4 million jobs created since the last recession ended.

The Manufacturing ISM Report on Business and the Purchasing Managers Index also see continuing improvement. The former “reported the 77th consecutive monthly expansion of the overall economy into November 2015,” and the latter’s index “indicated growth in manufacturing for the 34th consecutive month.”

Connecticut’s economy also registered some good, if modest, numbers. Connecticut’s gross state product increased 0.6% in 2014, the latest year available, and the labor department sees personal income increasing 2.5% by March 2016. The economy regained almost 85% of the 119,000 jobs it lost during the 2008-2010 downturn.

But, as the Digest points out, “the state’s fiscal outlook was tempered in 2015 as evidenced by a FY 2014-15 deficit of $113.2 million, based on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” Other factors at play include “future Fed interest rate hikes, immigration reform, Eurozone debt, and China’s growth prospects, as well as geopolitical risks to the global economy in the Middle East, Europe, and Japan.”

Paramedics Are More Likely to be Assaulted than Firefighters

A recent Drexel study concluded that emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics are 14 times more likely to be violently injured on the job than firefighters.  Fifty-six out of 365 paramedics reported being assaulted compared to 35 out of 2,809 firefighters. As a result, paramedics are dealing with a high level of stress, which may lead them to be detached and wary of new patients.  
  
The researchers tracked reported injuries and assaults of medics and firefighters between 2005 and 2013.  The researchers also found that assault-related injures are often unreported. 

Misdemeanors Increased to Felonies from 1995 to 2015

OLR Report 2015-R-0306 outlines 49 crimes that were increased from misdemeanors to felonies in Connecticut from 1995 to 2015. A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in prison, and a felony is punishable by more than one year in prison.

For a list of the crimes and how their penalties changed, read the full report. 

What is the 75-Foot Rule?

The “75-foot rule” generally prohibits anyone from soliciting support for or opposition to a candidate or a ballot question within a 75-foot radius of the outside entrance to a polling place.

OLR Report 2015-R-0307 describes the rule more fully and provides the penalties for violating it.  Also outlined in the report are exceptions to the rule that allow certain activities within the 75-foot radius. 

Click here to read the report.

Privacy in America

On January 20, 2016, the Pew Research Center released the findings of its study about privacy in America.  The study examined how Americans view government surveillance and commercial transactions that capture personal information.

The Pew Research Center’s key findings include the following:

1. 91% of adults agree or strongly agree that consumers have lost control of how companies collect and use personal information.
2. There is a lack of confidence about the security and control of everyday communication channels.
3. Americans say it is “very important” that they are in control of (a) who can get information about them (74%) and (b) what information is collected about them (65%).
4. 86% of internet users have taken steps online to remove or mask their digital footprints, but many say they would like to do more or are unaware of tools they could use.
5. Many Americans struggle to understand the nature and scope of data collected about them.
6. Young adults generally are more attentive to online privacy than their elders.
7. A majority of the U.S. public believes changes in law could make a difference in protecting privacy – especially when it comes to data retention polices.

 

Sometimes a Good Bargain may Trump Privacy Concerns

“Many Americans are in an ‘it depends’ frame of mind when they think about disclosing personal information or keeping it private when considering different scenarios,” according to a recent Pew Research Center survey of 461 adults and nine online focus groups of 80 people.

The survey found that in a variety of circumstances, Americans are willing to share personal information or permit government surveillance in return for getting something of perceived value. But they are often cautious about disclosing their information and frequently unhappy about what happens to that information once companies have collected it.

The respondents’ ambivalence showed up in how the respondents felt about retail loyalty cards and “smart thermostats. The survey found that “nearly half (47%) of respondents said the basic bargain offered by retail loyalty cards – namely, that stores track their purchases in exchange for occasional discounts – is acceptable to them.” But their attitudes shifted when they were asked about installing thermostats in their homes that would help them save money while tracking their movements. Most—by a 55% to 27% margin—said they consider this an unacceptable tradeoff.

So what phrase best captures Americans’ views on the choice between privacy vs. disclosure of personal information? “It depends.” The choice is shaped by “both the conditions of the deal and the circumstances of people’s lives.” Other factors come into play as well, such as what happens to data after it is collected, how long it is retained, and whether it is disseminated to others.

For more on this survey, visit:

http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/01/14/privacy-and-information-sharing/

New Work Requirements for Certain SNAP Recipients

Since 1996, federal law required adults without children or disabilities who are eligible for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits (SNAP, i.e., food stamps) to meet certain work requirements in order to receive the benefits. In 2009, a federal waiver lifted work requirements for these Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD), as states around the country experienced higher unemployment, and fewer jobs were available.

As the economy has recovered, many states are no longer eligible for the ABAWD waiver. Connecticut is no longer eligible for a statewide waiver, but, according to the Department of Social Services (DSS), 82 towns will continue to be subject to the waiver, while 87 towns now have work requirements for ABAWDs. The change is effective January 1, 2016.

Source: DSS