Census Head Rebecca Blank Talks to Spotlight about New Poverty Data

After releasing the much-discussed new poverty report, Rebecca Blank, Commerce Department under secretary for economic affairs, gave Spotlight her take on the new numbers:

“It was a very bad year in terms of unemployment increases. And there۪s a historical relationship between unemployment and poverty that would suggest that poverty should have increased much more this year than it actually did. So, the surprise here is that the historical relationship with unemployment didn۪t seem to show up. And the answer to why that happened is that there were a variety of expansions in government programs which offset the effect of rising unemployment, and up to a certain point, protected income among the elderly and among families.”

Click here for complete audio.

Posted by Jodie

 

____________________________________________________

Here at Out of the Spotlight, we offer a behind-the-scenes look at the latest news and information essential to anyone working to fight poverty. From key political appointees to clashes over policy, we cover the news that doesn۪t always make the evening news. Check out Out of the Spotlight for our take on the twists and turns of the latest political developments and its impact on poverty reduction. Topics and ideas are welcome! Just contact mlaracy@aecf.org or watersboots@hotmail.com