Sign In
Free Newsletter
Shannon Schell: Fighting for the poor with a Rebel Alliance tattoo
Shannon Schell is the new executive director of Protecting Arizona’s Family Coalition, a group that advocates for human services programs at the GOP-dominated Legislature.
Arizona gives ‘low income’ assorted meanings
A family of four can bring in more than $60,000 annually to be considered low income for the state’s recently expanded voucher program, allowing them to access more funds to attend private school. But to be considered low income for various other state programs, like ones that allow the poor to buy food or basic necessities like toilet paper, the line is much lower, meaning fewer people qualify [...]
‘Sine die’ – a sunset, a flip-flop and money for business and the needy
The Legislature adjourned sine die just before sunset May 10, capping a final week in which one Republican’s flip-flop prevented a prolonged session and lawmakers expanded tax breaks for businesses and benefits for poor Arizona families.
Lawmakers restore public assistance funds in final act of session
Hundreds of needy Arizona families can access another year of cash assistance benefits after last-minute negotiations led the legislature to approve a reversal of a prior cut to the program.
Lawmakers approve $9.8 billion spending plan
Arizona teachers will get a small raise. The state’s universities may take on more debt. High-achieving schools will get more funding.
Democrats fail to modify ‘harsh’ sanctions in cash assistance bill
Democrats tried to get rid of some strings attached to a restoration of cash assistance benefits pushed by Gov. Doug Ducey, but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.
House panel approves poverty benefits extension, but with strings attached
An Arizona House panel approved a bill that would allow people living in poverty to receive cash assistance for longer.
Ducey proposals would help needy, vulnerable Arizonans
Gov. Doug Ducey announced several plans aimed at the state’s most vulnerable, from the very poor to people suffering from addiction.
Time limit strikes back: Cut in aid to needy families costs DES millions
The Department of Economic Security has a $9 million shortfall in its child support division caused by repeated limits to TANF, according to a budget request it sent to the Governor’s Office. Without the backfill of funds, DES says its services, like finding child support scofflaws, could be hobbled.
New food stamp bill focuses on welfare card photo, prohibited locations
The Arizona House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday that would add a photo to welfare benefit cards after the sponsor promised to get rid of provisions that would drop as many as 120,000 from federal benefit programs.
Dems call for new spending on schools, welfare
Arizona Legislative Democrats want to use the state’s surplus funds to reinvest in education, child safety, economic development, public safety and natural resources.
Cutting welfare is bad policy – restore funding next session
The purpose of TANF is to help low-income adults enter the workforce. That’s why former President Bill Clinton signed the block grant law in 1997: to fulfill his promise to “end welfare as we know it.”
