MEDIA OF THE WEEK
Why the US doesn’t have universal child care (anymore), Vox: "Every high-income country in the world has a paid maternity leave policy — except the US. Most have a paternity leave policy, too. And, usually, some form of universal or subsidized child care for all families. The United States has … none of these policies."
UPCOMING EVENTS
IMAGINE MORE: Eliminating the Racial Wealth Gap and Ending Poverty
February 24 (6:00 - 7:15 PM EST) via Zoom.
Free. Registration required.
"This series brings together one of the largest and most diverse lineups of New Jersey organizations and voices from across the ideological spectrum to develop an action plan for racial justice and reparations. Participants include national thought leaders, philanthropic and community-based organizations, policy advocates, jurists, and local activists who have been directly impacted by injustice."
LOCAL & REGIONAL UPDATES
Making New Jersey Affordable for Families: The Case for a State-Level Child Tax Credit, NJPP: "New Jersey should create its own state-level child tax credit to make the Garden State a more affordable place to start a family. The success of the expanded federal Child Tax Credit has shown how a simple solution — a monthly tax-refund check for families with children — can reduce food insecurity, avoid debt, and improve savings, keeping 3 million children out of poverty."
New Jersey's new state legislative district map adopted in bipartisan vote, Politico: "The map of the state’s 40 legislative districts was adopted by a 9-2 vote during a meeting at the Statehouse... It will likely allow Democrats to keep their majorities in the Senate and Assembly but creates new opportunities for Republicans — especially in South Jersey"
New Jersey bill calls for Division of School Desegregation in state ed department, K-12 Dive: "Under the proposed New Jersey legislation, a Division of School Desegregation would compile statistics on the racial, ethnic and economic composition of students for each public school in the state. Additionally, the division would analyze the educational outcomes of students enrolled in highly segregated schools compared to those of students attending more racially and economically integrated schools."
NATIONAL UPDATES
Uproar Over ‘Crack Pipes’ Puts Biden Drug Strategy at Risk, NY Times: "President Biden came into office vowing to make 'harm reduction'...a central pillar of his drug policy agenda, at a time when illicit fentanyl has driven a surge in overdose deaths. Instead, his strategy is in danger of being derailed by a Washington drama over “crack pipes” that is more about political gamesmanship than public health. The clash is a revival of decades-old fights over clean needle exchange programs that addiction experts hoped had finally been laid to rest."
To Honor Black History Month, Let’s Make Real Progress in Racial Equity, CBPP: "As we honor the contributions and accomplishments of Black people this month to our communities and the nation at large, federal policymakers should ensure that more Black people can thrive and live full lives by moving forward measures that take down or lower obstacles in their way."
Why Congress Needs to Abolish the Debt Limit, Brookings: "The debt limit does not govern the revenues and spending obligations of the federal government—those are governed by legislation enacted by current and previous Congresses. Instead, the debt limit is a political roadblock that, when reached, prevents the federal government from fulfilling its already-incurred obligations. It is like spending money and refusing to pay the credit card bill."
