Urges federal government to raise federal poverty line for public assistance programs.
Impact
According to the resolution, nearly 53 million households are unable to afford necessary living expenses, but only about 37.9 million are officially recognized as being in poverty. This discrepancy prevents a substantial segment of the population from accessing vital public assistance programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Program. The resolution argues that raising the federal poverty line could allow a more accurate representation of impoverished households and facilitate greater access to assistance for those in need, potentially alleviating their financial burdens.
Closing
Overall, SR100 seeks to prompt action at the federal level to redefine the poverty measurement used for public assistance eligibility, which its supporters argue is critical for accurately aiding those facing economic challenges today. By urging these changes, the resolution aims to ensure that assistance programs can reach a broader base of individuals and families who genuinely require help in navigating the increasingly expensive cost of living.
Summary
Senate Resolution 100 (SR100) from the State of New Jersey urges the federal government to raise the federal poverty line utilized for determining eligibility in public assistance programs. The current measurement of poverty has remained largely unchanged since its establishment in the 1960s, with only inflation adjustments affecting its calculation. Given that this original threshold only considers basic food needs and neglects essential costs associated with housing, healthcare, child care, and transportation, the resolution highlights the growing disparity between the number of individuals struggling to meet their basic needs and those classified as living in poverty based on the federal definition.
Contention
The document also addresses the consequences of recent minimum wage increases, which have inadvertently led to some low-wage workers losing their eligibility for public assistance due to slight pay raises. This phenomenon, termed the 'benefits cliff', creates a disincentive for these workers to increase their hours or accept promotions, as doing so may result in the loss of essential assistance programs. Thus, the resolution advocates for an adjustment in the poverty line to include a more comprehensive assessment of what constitutes financial hardship in current economic conditions.
Urges federal government to revise official poverty measure to account for high cost of living, non-discretionary expenses, and cash and noncash income.
Urges federal government to revise official poverty measure to account for high cost of living, non-discretionary expenses, and cash and noncash income.
"New Jersey American Dream Act"; appropriates $25 million to provide down payment and home repair assistance to low and moderate income first-time homebuyers.
"New Jersey American Dream Act"; appropriates $25 million to provide down payment and home repair assistance to low and moderate income first-time homebuyers.
A resolution to condemn the Trump Administration and congressional Republican’s support of the divisive “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that raises costs for Michiganders, slashes Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC), adds burdensome hurdles to important tax relief measures for low-income households, drives more families into poverty by giving tax cuts to the most wealthy households, and sets back progress on a clean energy future while increasing energy costs on Americans.