- Feb 02, 12 | The Daily Beast Mitt Romney and the Poor People's Safety Net Myth This notion that ours is a country with ample protections in place to protect the very poor rankles Elizabeth Lower-Basch, a senior policy analyst with CLASP, a D.C.-based research and advocacy group. "It's a pretty common misperception, this idea that we have a strong safety net in place," Lower-Basch says. "The truth is, we have a very patchy safety net" - and one that is under greater strain and facing ever more threats the longer the country's economic woes continue.
- Feb 01, 12 | The Huffington Post Republicans Aim to Ban Use of Welfare Debit Cards at Strip Clubs, Liquor Stores "This is another example of setting policies based on attention-grabbing news stories with little connection to the underlying reality and that are designed to reinforce the 'unworthy poor' stereotype," said Elizabeth Lower-Basch, a senior analyst at CLASP. "There's no evidence that this is a widespread problem. And even when funds are withdrawn in those locations, it doesn't mean that people are gambling away their benefits."
- Feb 01, 12 | CNNMoney Romney: "I'm not concerned about the very poor" "It is a common misconception that we don't have to worry about the very poor because they are covered by existing programs," said Elizabeth Lower-Basch, senior policy analyst at CLASP, which advocates for low-income Americans. "In fact, our safety net has many holes."
- Feb 02, 12 Stigmatizing UI by Drug Testing Applicants and Denying Benefits to Those Without H.S. Diploma Conferees from the U.S. House and Senate currently are considering an Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits extension proposal that includes two highly controversial provisions-drug testing all UI applicants and denying benefits to those without a high school diploma or equivalent-that would penalize the most vulnerable workers, CLASP, the Center for Law and Social Policy said today.
- Dec 12, 11 House bill cuts federal UI benefits, stigmatizes joblessness, penalizes workers with least education While the bill extends the payroll tax deduction, it limits the availability of federally funded unemployment assistance, includes punitive provisions for the least skilled jobless workers and inexplicably ties needed UI benefits and payroll tax reductions to permits for the Keystone pipeline.
- Nov 21, 11 Super Committee Failure Part and Parcel of a Larger Problem The Super Committee was born out of congressional wrangling over our nation's policy priorities, and it seems to have met its demise in much the same way.
- Nov 18, 11 Legal Aid a Casualty in FY 2012 Spending Package Congress voted Thursday, Nov. 17, on a spending package that includes significant cuts to the Legal Services Corporation, a move that will make it significantly harder for low-income people to access legal aid.
CLASP's policy experts present at a wide variety of events, conferences, seminars and forums throughout the country. Following are upcoming CLASP staff presentations:
- Feb 06, 12 RIVHSA's 2012 Annual Conference
- Feb 08, 12 Building Out Competitive Edge: How Adult Education Leverages Multi-System Partnerships for Student Success
- Feb 16, 12 Reaching Children Where They Are to Provide Comprehensive Services
- Mar 12, 12 Big Ideas for Job Creation: Federal, State, and Local Governments Working Together
- Mar 16, 12 Coming of Age Against All Odds: Legal Strategies for Defending Youth in Crisis