This week at CBPP, we focused on the economy, state budgets and taxes, housing, the federal budget, food assistance, and Social Security.
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On the economy, we released a statement from CBPP President Robert Greenstein explaining why Trump’s COVID-19 executive actions are woefully inadequate and legally dangerous. Sharon Parrott, Joel Friedman, and Greenstein explained why $1 trillion isn’t enough for the next COVID economic relief package. We created and summarized a new tool tracking the COVID-19 recession’s effects on food, housing, and employment hardships, which we’ll update periodically. We also outlined why struggling families and the economy need a robust, bipartisan COVID relief agreement. We updated our backgrounder on how many weeks of unemployment compensation are available and our chart book tracking the post-Great Recession economy.
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On state budgets and taxes, Eric Figueroa called for Virginia and other states to continue advancing immigrant-inclusive policies. Wesley Tharpe detailed why the Trump executive actions won’t alleviate, and could worsen, states’ budget woes. We updated our State Budget Watch tracking revenue shortfalls.
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On housing, Peggy Bailey pointed out that Trump’s executive order doesn’t extend the eviction ban and that it won’t help the millions struggling to pay rent.
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On the federal budget, Paul N. Van de Water explained why the Trump payroll tax action won’t work and could endanger Social Security and the budget.
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On food assistance, Ed Bolen noted that the Department of Agriculture is rolling back SNAP flexibility that states need in the current crisis.
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On Social Security, we updated our backgrounder on the top ten facts about Social Security.
Chart of the Week — Black and Latino Households Likelier to Experience Food Insufficiency During Pandemic
A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts this past week. Here are some of the highlights:
State and Local Budget Pain Looms Over Economy’s Future
New York Times
August 14, 2020
It’s not just the extra $600—millions of workers could exhaust all of their jobless benefits by January
CNBC
August 13, 2020
Coronavirus-Hit State Budgets Create a Drag on U.S. Recovery
Wall Street Journal
August 12, 2020
Editorial: It’s important we bolster food benefits
Topeka Capital-Journal
August 12, 2020
No, Trump didn’t ban evictions
Fast Company
August 10, 2020
Trump Dumps Unemployment Bills on States Facing Calamity
Bloomberg
August 10, 2020
Trump promises permanent cut to payroll tax funding Social Security and Medicare if he’s reelected
Washington Post
August 8, 2020
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