A new report from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention shows a number of measures of gang activity increasing nationwide, including its geographic distribution. The report is based on an annual survey of law enforcement agencies.
When comparing data for 2012 with the national average for the five years from 2007 to 2012, the report found that the number of (1) gangs increased by 8% and (2) gang members increased by 11%. The report attributes these trends primarily to increased numbers reported by larger cities. Combined with declining rates in smaller cities, the report suggests that gang activity is “becoming even more concentrated in urban areas.”
Because most departments only indicate whether a crime is gang-related when the crime is a homicide, the report does not attempt to measure overall gang criminal activity. It does report that gangs were involved in about 16% of all homicides in 2012. Compared to the average for 2007 to 2011, the number of gang-related homicides increased by more than 20%.
Read more about the survey here.
February 13, 2015
February 12, 2015
A Connecticut Region Ranked Among Top Ten in Country for Successful Aging
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The nonprofit Milken Institute ranked the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk metropolitan area as the nation’s 10th best large metropolitan region for successful aging. The Institute’s “Best Cities for Successful Aging” advisory committee separately ranked the nation’s large and small metropolitan areas based on eight criteria, which include access to health care and educational opportunities.
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk got high marks for elderly employment, low poverty, and availability of both quality nursing homes and community colleges. The report noted some negatives, though, including the region’s high tax burden and steep housing and rental prices.
The report ranked Madison, WI, as the nation’s number one large metropolitan region for successful aging, Boston-Cambridge-Newton number four, and Springfield number 18. Iowa City, IA ranked number one among the small metropolitan region. The full report and ranking can be viewed here.
February 11, 2015
Video Game To Help Pro Se Litigants
As reported in a recent Connecticut Law Tribune article, Northeastern University School of Law’s NuLawLab is developing a video game to teach nonlawyers how to prepare themselves for court. NuLawLab is developing the game in partnership with Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut (SLS), which received a federal grant for this purpose. SLS’s other partner is the New Haven Legal Assistance Association.
Under the terms of the grant, the game must be finished by the end of this year. As quoted in the article, NuLawLab’s executive director, Dan Jackson, stated that “our game does not have to be limited to the courtroom experience.” In addition to more traditional legal issues (such as how to enter an item into evidence), the game may address such issues as finding the clerk’s office, proper courtroom attire, and when to stand up and sit down in court.
The article notes that the project was named a finalist for the Hague Institute for the Internationalisation of Law’s 2014 Innovating Justice Awards.
For more information, see the January 5, 2015 edition of the Connecticut Law Tribune or the NuLawLab website.
Under the terms of the grant, the game must be finished by the end of this year. As quoted in the article, NuLawLab’s executive director, Dan Jackson, stated that “our game does not have to be limited to the courtroom experience.” In addition to more traditional legal issues (such as how to enter an item into evidence), the game may address such issues as finding the clerk’s office, proper courtroom attire, and when to stand up and sit down in court.
The article notes that the project was named a finalist for the Hague Institute for the Internationalisation of Law’s 2014 Innovating Justice Awards.
For more information, see the January 5, 2015 edition of the Connecticut Law Tribune or the NuLawLab website.
New Data on Consumer Access to Credit
The New York Federal Reserve recently began collecting new data about consumers’ access to credit through its Survey of Consumer Expectations. Since mid-2013, the survey has measured four categories of people: those who applied and were approved for credit, those whose credit application was rejected, those who needed credit but did not apply because they believed they would not be approved, and those who did not apply for credit for other reasons.
Four surveys conducted between October 2013 and October 2014 show that the share of discouraged credit seekers remained steady around 7% and the share of rejected applicants remained steady around 11%. But the share of accepted applicants dropped to 28% recently, after remaining steady at around 33%.
Looking at credit scoring data collected since February 2014, the survey found that the credit rejection rate remained steady around 8% for the most creditworthy group but increased in other groups, most notably in the least creditworthy group from 51% to 55%.
The study looks at various types of credit and breaks down the data by age and credit score. For more information and access to the full survey data, read the New York Fed’s blog, Liberty Street Economics.
Four surveys conducted between October 2013 and October 2014 show that the share of discouraged credit seekers remained steady around 7% and the share of rejected applicants remained steady around 11%. But the share of accepted applicants dropped to 28% recently, after remaining steady at around 33%.
Looking at credit scoring data collected since February 2014, the survey found that the credit rejection rate remained steady around 8% for the most creditworthy group but increased in other groups, most notably in the least creditworthy group from 51% to 55%.
The study looks at various types of credit and breaks down the data by age and credit score. For more information and access to the full survey data, read the New York Fed’s blog, Liberty Street Economics.
February 10, 2015
Jobs Data Shows Continued Challenges for Americans
A recent Brookings Institute article discusses 10 facts about jobs that shed light on the nation’s progress toward economic recovery. In the article, Isabel V. Sawhill, a budget and fiscal policy expert at Brookings, argues that despite some progress in 2014, a number of measures show that many poor and middle-class Americans face challenges in the job market. Among other things, these measures show:
For more facts and charts about jobs and economic recovery, click here.
- an economy that must produce 80,000 jobs a month just to keep pace with population and labor force growth,
- job growth without a corresponding increase in average earnings, and
- wage growth that barely keeps pace with inflation.
For more facts and charts about jobs and economic recovery, click here.
February 9, 2015
Powerful Reminders
What motivates households to save energy? Is it the monetary savings or a desire to decrease pollution and its associated health impacts? A study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests it may be the latter.
The study monitored energy use in 118 homes over an eight month period. Some homes were sent reminder messages that included information about the environmental and public health impacts of pollution. Messages included information about pounds of pollutants emitted and links between pollution and diseases such as childhood asthma and cancer. Those who received these messages saved 8% more energy than the study’s control group, and researchers found the messaging particularly effective in families with children.
The study monitored energy use in 118 homes over an eight month period. Some homes were sent reminder messages that included information about the environmental and public health impacts of pollution. Messages included information about pounds of pollutants emitted and links between pollution and diseases such as childhood asthma and cancer. Those who received these messages saved 8% more energy than the study’s control group, and researchers found the messaging particularly effective in families with children.
February 6, 2015
New Report: New IRS Regulations for Nonprofit Hospitals
OLR Report 2015-R-0007 summarizes requirements under the Affordable Care Act for nonprofit (charitable) hospitals to maintain their tax-exempt status.
These provisions took effect for taxable years beginning after March 23, 2010, except that the community health needs assessment requirement took effect in tax years beginning after March 23, 2012. In 2012 and 2013, the IRS issued proposed regulations providing guidance regarding these requirements.
On December 29, 2014, the IRS issued final regulations regarding these provisions. Most of the final regulations apply to a hospital’s taxable years beginning after December 29, 2015; some provisions take effect before then.
For a summary of the statutory requirements and an overview of significant features of the final regulations, see the full report.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) added requirements that a nonprofit hospital must meet in order to maintain its § 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code. Under these provisions, a nonprofit hospital must:
- conduct a community health needs assessment at least once every three taxable years and adopt an implementation strategy to meet the needs identified in the assessment;
- establish a financial assistance policy (FAP) and emergency care policy;
- bill patients eligible for the FAP at no more than the amount generally billed to patients with insurance, and not use gross charges; and
- make reasonable efforts to determine whether the patient is eligible for the FAP before undertaking extraordinary collection actions, such as making a negative report to a credit bureau.
On December 29, 2014, the IRS issued final regulations regarding these provisions. Most of the final regulations apply to a hospital’s taxable years beginning after December 29, 2015; some provisions take effect before then.
For a summary of the statutory requirements and an overview of significant features of the final regulations, see the full report.
States Reconsider Vaccination Policies in Wake of Measles Outbreak
Legislators from at least four states are considering introducing legislation that would eliminate certain exemptions to measles vaccination requirements.
According to NCSL, most states, including Connecticut, grant religious exemptions from vaccination requirements. Twenty states also allow for vaccination exemptions based on personal, moral, or other beliefs (Connecticut is not among those states.)
In California, two state senators have announced they will introduce legislation to repeal a “personal belief exemption” that permits California parents to bow out of vaccinating their children. A representative from Colorado – the state with the lowest measles vaccination rate – is similarly considering legislation that would make it more difficult for parents to “opt out” of the state’s vaccination mandate. Lawmakers in Oregon and Washington State also want to remove exemptions based on parents' "personal beliefs.
On the federal level, a Florida congresswoman has indicated she may file legislation that would require all public school children to be vaccinated. But the federal government has declined to create any new legislation mandating the vaccination of children. Both President Obama and House Speaker Boehner have indicated that there is no need for a federal law requiring children to be vaccinated.
According to NCSL, most states, including Connecticut, grant religious exemptions from vaccination requirements. Twenty states also allow for vaccination exemptions based on personal, moral, or other beliefs (Connecticut is not among those states.)
In California, two state senators have announced they will introduce legislation to repeal a “personal belief exemption” that permits California parents to bow out of vaccinating their children. A representative from Colorado – the state with the lowest measles vaccination rate – is similarly considering legislation that would make it more difficult for parents to “opt out” of the state’s vaccination mandate. Lawmakers in Oregon and Washington State also want to remove exemptions based on parents' "personal beliefs.
On the federal level, a Florida congresswoman has indicated she may file legislation that would require all public school children to be vaccinated. But the federal government has declined to create any new legislation mandating the vaccination of children. Both President Obama and House Speaker Boehner have indicated that there is no need for a federal law requiring children to be vaccinated.
February 5, 2015
Brookings Gives Recommendations to States Seeking Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure Projects
Public infrastructure around the country is in dire need of investment, but funding major infrastructure projects is often practically and politically difficult for states. Consequently, many states have turned to public-private partnerships (P3s) to deliver, finance, and maintain certain infrastructure projects.
Some believe that P3s are the answer to the U.S.’s infrastructure challenges, while others view P3s as a private takeover of public assets. But, according to a recent Brookings report, P3s are neither. Instead, they are “simply another tool for procuring or managing public assets”—a tool which may be well-suited to one project and impractical for another. Along with an overview of P3 agreements, the report provides nine recommendations to guide policymakers in evaluating and executing P3 agreements that serve the public interest. The recommendations include:
Some believe that P3s are the answer to the U.S.’s infrastructure challenges, while others view P3s as a private takeover of public assets. But, according to a recent Brookings report, P3s are neither. Instead, they are “simply another tool for procuring or managing public assets”—a tool which may be well-suited to one project and impractical for another. Along with an overview of P3 agreements, the report provides nine recommendations to guide policymakers in evaluating and executing P3 agreements that serve the public interest. The recommendations include:
- Create a strong legal framework at the state level to ensure that the public sector has authority to execute a deal and that the private sector can mitigate unnecessary political risk;
- Prioritize projects based on quantifiable goals and analysis, recognizing that not every project is suitable for a P3;
- Understand what the private sector needs, because strong P3s require finding the right alignment of interests;
- Create a clear and transparent process, because standardizing processes will create a market for P3s “that provides the public and private sector with a clear roadmap for success;” and
- Monitor and learn from the process.
February 4, 2015
New Report: Questions on the Connecticut Siting Council
OLR Report 2014-R-0281 answers several questions on the Connecticut Siting Council’s authority on and jurisdiction over the location of telecommunications towers, including:
- What state and federal laws authorize the council to regulate telecommunication towers?
- Can the council disregard local zoning requirements in its telecommunication tower decisions?
- Can the council’s public hearing requirements be changed through state legislation?
- Could state legislation require the council to consider health or property values in its decisions on telecommunications towers?
SNAP Use in Connecticut Towns
Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the percentage of people who have received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) benefits in the last 12 months. The American Community Survey dataset includes these percentages for each of Connecticut’s 169 towns.
Hartford had the highest percentage of SNAP recipients, at 39.7%. UCONN’s Outside the Neatline blog maps this data, as well as data on child poverty, gender earnings differences, and median household income.
Figure 1: SNAP recipients in Connecticut Towns
Hartford had the highest percentage of SNAP recipients, at 39.7%. UCONN’s Outside the Neatline blog maps this data, as well as data on child poverty, gender earnings differences, and median household income.
Figure 1: SNAP recipients in Connecticut Towns
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| © OpenStreetMap contributors |
February 3, 2015
States Propose Taxes on E-Cigarettes
With the use of e-cigarettes on the rise, a growing number of states are considering taxing them.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Minnesota and North Carolina are the only states to date that have imposed taxes on e-cigarettes. In Minnesota, the tax is 95% of the wholesale price. In North Carolina, the tax is $0.05 per milliliter.
As the NCSL table below shows, at least 15 other states considered such taxes in recent legislative sessions, but did not enact them. Proposals are pending in six other states.
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As the NCSL table below shows, at least 15 other states considered such taxes in recent legislative sessions, but did not enact them. Proposals are pending in six other states.
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Up in Vapor
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Passed
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Minnesota
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Increased from 75% to 95%
wholesale
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North Carolina
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5 cents per 1.0 ml.
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Pending
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Michigan
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15 cents per 1.5 ml
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New Jersey
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75% wholesale
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Ohio
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49% wholesale
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Defeated
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Delaware
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30% wholesale
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Hawaii
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85% wholesale
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Indiana
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24% wholesale
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Kentucky
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1.
15% on inventory
2.
20% wholesale
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Maine
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Cigarette equivalency tax
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Massachusetts
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90% wholesale
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New York
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75% wholesale
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Oklahoma
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5 cents per 1.5 ml.
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Oregon
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81% wholesale
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Rhode Island
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80% wholesale
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South Carolina
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5 cents per 1.0 ml.
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Utah
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86% wholesale
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Vermont
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92% wholesale
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Washington
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95% wholesale
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Wisconsin
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84% wholesale
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Pre-filed for 2015
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Nevada
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New Mexico
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Virginia
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Sources: NCSL and the American Vaping Association, December 2014
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