News Releases

• Nov 06, 2009 Bill to Extend Unemployment Comes as Unemployment Reaches Double Digits President Obama today signed a bill that will extend unemployment insurance for millions of workers who are on the verge of exhausting their benefits. The bill signing comes amid other news that the economy is showing signs of recovery, though unemployment at 10.2 percent is at its highest level in 26 years.
• Nov 04, 2009 New Report Reveals Higher State Poverty Rates Based on Alternative Measure The percent of Americans living in poverty is higher than the current poverty measure captures, according to a new CLASP report that, for the first time, lists how poverty rates change in each state using a modern poverty measure.
• Oct 29, 2009 Recovery Remains a Long Way Off for Unemployed and Low-Income Americans
• Aug 26, 2009 Sen. Kennedy a Prolific Advocate for Low-Income Americans Sen. Kennedy's deep conviction for social justice was evident in the many causes he championed and the bills that bear his name.
• Jul 16, 2009 American Graduation Initiative Bold Step Toward Transforming Workforce The Obama Administration's proposed American Graduation Initiative represents a bold federal effort to help more Americans gain the knowledge and skills they need to get ahead and that our country needs to compete globally.
• Apr 03, 2009 Rising Unemployment Calls for Swift Use of Existing Policy Tools, and New Policy Solutions The nation's continually rising unemployment rate underscores the urgent need for states to take full advantage of provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that provide relief for workers facing economic distress, and it calls for making better use of policy solutions designed to help workers through tough economic times.
• Mar 31, 2009 New Website Helps States Working to Boost Economic Competitiveness Shifting Gears is a Joyce Foundation-sponsored initiative that aims to promote regional economic growth by aligning adult education, workforce development and postsecondary education in five Midwestern states - Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
• Mar 27, 2009 Under Used Work Sharing Program Could Help Curb Rising Layoffs Work sharing, a program that allows employers to reduce work hours instead of jobs, could provide an alternative to layoffs and help ease mounting unemployment, according to Work Sharing-an Alternative to Layoffs for Tough Time, a paper published today by CLASP.
• Mar 25, 2009 CLASP Statement on House and Senate Budget Proposals We are pleased that both bills presented today by chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees reflect the priorities laid out by the President and include investments in health care reform, education, and clean energy, while committing to fiscal responsibility and reducing the federal deficit.
• Mar 20, 2009 Souring Economy Requires Investment in Programs That Help Families The budget projections that Congressional Budget Office released today show that the nation is facing an even tougher economic environment than anyone projected even a month ago. At this critical moment, it is all the more important that the nation's policymakers assist struggling families to stay afloat and make sound investments in families and the nation's economic future.
• Feb 13, 2009 Economic Recovery Package Signicant Step Toward Shoring Up the Safety Net The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that lawmakers are expected to send to President Obama in the coming days is a significant and welcome first step in shoring up the nation's tattered safety net and ensuring the most vulnerable Americans share the benefits of economic recovery.
• Feb 10, 2009 Senate Recovery Package Addresses Urgent Needs We are pleased that senators came to a compromise and passed the recovery act. Ordinary Americans continue to feel the everyday consequences of slow action, including mounting job losses and trouble meeting basic needs such as food and shelter. Low-income Americans are especially hard hit by this recession and in need of the jobs, tax relief and other provisions this bill provides.
• Jan 30, 2009 Economic Recovery Package Provides Needed Child Care Assistance The economic recovery proposal includes a much-needed boost to child care assistance that will help more low-income working parents stay employed and access quality child care for their children
• Jan 30, 2009 Administration's New Taskforce And Action On Job Quality A Win For Workers President Obama and Vice-President Biden have chosen to put the issue of job quality front and center. As the President said this morning, we need to create 'not just any jobs,' but good jobs that enable workers to manage their work and family responsibilities and that open the door to the American Dream.
• Jan 21, 2009 CLASP Congratulates New Administration The swearing in of President Barack Obama was an historic and moving moment for the country. As the nation celebrated, it did so knowing the President Obama has many tough challenges ahead.
• Jan 16, 2009 Recovery Package Shores Up Critical Safety Net Programs This economic recovery proposal demonstrates that our nation's lawmakers get it. Long-term economic recovery requires common sense measures that will shore up the economy and ensure all Americans share in the benefit of recovery.
• Jan 14, 2009 Economic Recovery Legislation Should Shore Up the Safety Net
• May 28, 2008 House Briefing on Kinship Care
• May 28, 2008 Senate Briefing on Kinship Care
• Feb 05, 2008 President's Budget Hurts Low-Income, Working Families