Stimulus package's effects being felt in Virginia
Lynchburg News and Advance
“The aid to the state was to forestall cuts that would have worsened the recession,“ said Michael Cassidy, executive director of the Commonwealth Institute, ...

 

 

Democratic candidates vow to create jobs. Details are slim.
The Virginian-Pilot
... fiscal benefits tied to increased education spending, said Michael Cassidy, executive director of the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis. ...

Stimulus package being felt in Va.
Richmond Times Dispatch
"The aid to the state was to forestall cuts that would have worsened the recession," said Michael Cassidy, executive director of the Commonwealth Institute, ...

 

Stimulus is making an impact in Virginia. (listen to audio)
WCVE-88.9 FM
Nearly 40% of the stimulus will put money directly into the hands of Virginia families, according to a new report by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.

 

 Paying our overdue obligation to the poor
The Virginian-Pilot
The second report, from the nonprofit Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, outlines specific recommendations for addressing Virginia's meager aid ...

Virginia "stuck in mud' on poverty (listen to audio - 3 min.)
WCVE 88.9 FM/Centra; Va. Public Broadcasting
Governor Tim Kaine will host a Poverty Summit in Richmond today. The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis says Virginia is “stuck in the mud” when it comes to tackling poverty. The Institute points to what it calls “troubling trends” in the Commonwealth’s effort to deal with poverty ...

 

New Efforts to Reduce Poverty in Virginia
WHSV.com
New efforts are underway in Virginia to reduce poverty. Gov. Tim Kaine announced Thursday the creation of a poverty reduction task force. The announcement came at a summit on poverty and economic opportunity in Richmond. The governor's office says nearly 10 percent of all Virginians live below the federal poverty line. The non-profit Commonwealth Institute released a report this week on what they call Virginia's lagging effort in the fight against poverty. ...

Va Poverty Reduction Taskforce Created
WHSV.com
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Thursday the creation of Virginia’s Poverty Reduction Taskforce, a collection of public and private-sector partners who will make policy recommendations to combat poverty in the Commonwealth. The taskforce, co-chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marilyn B. Tavenner and Richmond attorney Robert Grey, will present its recommendations in the spring of 2010. ... Thursday’s summit brings private and public partners together in the effort to combat poverty in the Commonwealth. Speakers included Dr. Ron Haskins, senior fellow with the Brookings Institution, who discussed national poverty trends, and Michael Cassidy, executive director of The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, who provided a snapshot of the situation in Virginia.

Kaine to Create Poverty Reduction Taskforce
WSET.com/ABC 13 (Danville)
New help is on the way for struggling Virginians. On Thursday, Governor Kaine announced the creation of the Poverty Reduction Taskforce, which is a group assigned to alleviating the growing poverty in the state. Danville is looking forward to the help. ... The Commonwealth Institute says that 122,000 to 218,000 more Virginians will be living in poverty by year's end. More people, who will count on help from places like this for those simple things, that keep so many going.

Gov. Kaine forms Virginia poverty reduction task force
The Virginian-Pilot
After focusing on education, transportation and the environment in his first three years, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is also turning his attention to poverty in the remaining months of his administration. ... Michael Cassidy, executive director of the nonprofit Commonwealth Institute, said that amid a worsening economy, Virginia "is stuck in the mud when it comes to tackling poverty in our state."

Study: Virginia needs to do more for the poor
Media General News Service
Madison Messenger/godanriver.com
Even during the good times, Virginia isn’t doing enough to meet the needs of its poorest residents. That’s the message from the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, which released a report yesterday suggesting that more needs to be done to help those who live in poverty.

 

Study: Va. not ready for spike in poverty
Washington Examiner
Virginia is “stuck in the mud” when it comes to tackling poverty and is ill-prepared to handle a recent spike in unemployment, according to a report ...

Report says Virginia not doing enough for poor
Richmond Times Dispatch
By Holly Prestidge Even during the good times, Virginia isn't doing enough to meet the needs of its poorest residents. That's the message from the ...

 

Danville's Poverty Rate 3rd Highest in State
WBTM-1330 AM
(RICHMOND) --The city of Danville's poverty rate is 24 percent according to a new study out this morning from The Commonwealth Institute. Study coordinator Sara Okos says nearly half of those are listed in "deep poverty." That means their income is less than half of the federal poverty line. Okos says Danville's rate is the third-highest in Virginia. Institute Executive Director Michael Cassidy says Southside and Southwest Virginia had some of the state's highest poverty rates, along with a few urban areas. They're urging state lawmakers to change their minds and accept $125 million in federal stimulus money to expand jobless benefits in Virginia.

 Commonwealth Institute Receives Rapoport Grant
The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis has received a $25,000 grant from the Audre Rapoport
Foundation to support The Institute’s research, analysis and public education on state health care policy.

Unemployment Petition Awaits Legislators (listen to audio)
WCVE 88.9
When the General Assembly convenes today for its Amendment session, members will find a petition calling for changes in Virginia’s unemployment insurance system. The petition is the result of efforts by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, The Virginia Legal Aid Justice Center, The Virginia Poverty Law Center and the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy ... (listen to audio)

Va. General Assembly to Vote on Unemployment Package
Public News Service
Richmond - The Virginia General Assembly holds an up or down vote today on a series of amendments put forward by Governor Tim Kaine to modernize the state's ... (listen to audio)

 

Virginians pay more as health insurance coverage falls (listen)
WCVE 88.9
A study by the Robert Wood Johnson foundation found that while the average family income in Virginia increased less than 20% from 1994 to 2007, health insurance premiums jumped nearly 100%. The nonprofit Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis says the report paints a troubling picture, especially for low income Virginians ... (listen to audio)
Read the release (pdf)
Get the RWJF report (pdf)

Gov: Expand Unemployment Benefits to Include Part-Timers
Public News Service‎
Michael Cassidy, executive director of The Commonwealth Institute, says that view is shortsighted.