From The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy: Barriers to Food Security in Kentucky and Other News
Thanks to Jeff Wiggins for sending us this.
Tracking SNAP in Kentucky
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital source of assistance that helps put food on the table for hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians and much-needed resources into communities across the commonwealth. But recent policy decisions at the federal and state levels threaten to weaken this assistance. Track the program and consequences of policy choices with this new tool.
Time Limits and Other Challenges Hinder Success of Kentucky’s SNAP E&T Program
More than 10,000 Kentuckians have lost food assistance in recent months as a result of the state’s decision to expire time limit waivers for some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. But the state’s recent expansion of the SNAP Education and Training program (SNAP E&T) is an inadequate response providing too few people with too little opportunity.
Letter to the Public Pension Working Group
As legislators once again examine how to support the health of Kentucky’s public pension systems, important considerations include: Multiple rounds of benefit cuts have already been made; Benefits are already modest and more cuts for future hires won't help with current funding needs; And funding increases in recent years are making a real difference to the systems' health.
Impending Loss of Federal Toll Credits Makes Kentucky’s Transportation Funding Hole Even Deeper
Over the past few years, there has been much discussion about the need for additional resources to support Kentucky’s crumbling transportation infrastructure. The funding hole that currently exists becomes even deeper at the end of fiscal year 2020 when the Transportation Cabinet estimates that all of Kentucky’s available federal toll credits will be gone. A bill filed in the 2018 General Assembly provides a way forward.
State Should Move Forward With Recommendations to Shed Light on Tax Expenditures
Kentucky loses more than $13 billion every year through tax expenditures – tax breaks, exemptions and exclusions that leave us with less money for investments in schools, infrastructure and other building blocks of our communities – and bringing them under scrutiny is an essential first step toward a tax and budget system that reflects our priorities. Recent recommendations from a legislative task force to bring more accountability to this side of our budget should be enacted by the legislature.
KCEP in the News
Paducah Sun: Report: Thousands Lose Access to SNAP Throughout Kentucky
Richmond Register: Report: SNAP E&T Program Inapt
Courier Journal: Libertarian Group Joins Pension Reform Session, and Some Aren’t Happy
WEKU: Report Shows Impact of SNAP Rule Changes
WMKY: Report: Locked Out SNAP Recipients Face Barriers To Returning
Herald-Leader: Medicaid Recipients File Suit Again to Block Bevin’s Work Requirements and Premiums
WUKY: Kentucky Medicaid Fight Enters Round Two
KET: Kentucky Tonight: 2019 General Assembly
Courier Journal: Kentucky Parents Pay Taxes on Diapers. The Legislature Could End That.
Courier Journal: Rep. Attica Scott Wants to End Kentucky’s Tampon Tax
WKU: Economic Policy Group Hoping For Bail Reform in 2019 Legislative Session
Central Kentucky News-Journal: From the Reporter’s Desk: Pensions and What I Want to See This Session
Nonprofit Quarterly: Nonprofit Study Shows Kentucky’s Corporate Tax Breaks are Largely Ineffective
Courier Journal: 3 Questions About Pension Reform Before the Kentucky Legislature Starts
WFPL: GOP Lawmakers Consider Passing Old Pension Bill Again, Despite Bevin’s Wishes
Courier Journal: Why Call a Special Session?
Herald-Leader: Kentucky Pension Overhaul Has Failed Twice. Republicans Should Try a New Approach
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The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy is a non-profit, non-partisan initiative that conducts research, analysis and education on important policy issues facing the Commonwealth. Launched in 2011, the Center is a project of the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED). For more information, please visit KCEP’s website at www.kypolicy.org