Public News Service

#NewYorkState is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community college for people ages 25 to 55. Not only would it cover tuition costs, but also books, supplies and other fees. Implementing the measure would allow New York to join a legion of states with similar policies. Jeff Smink, deputy director of The Education Trust New York, predicted it would bolster the growing semiconductor workforce and other high-demand fields. "To get some of these high-paying jobs, you need a skilled workforce," Smink pointed out. "I think the investment in community colleges -- and The State University of New York, The City University of New York -- is going to help get us that workforce, particularly for students of color, students from low-income backgrounds that might not have had these opportunities in the past." It is one thing to get into college, but it is quite another to finish. Money is often the reason people do not finish and student loan debt can hold people back from making bigger financial moves. The Education Data Initiative reported New York has around 2.5 million student loan borrowers with nearly $95 billion in student loan debt. College investments can only benefit people with a strong educational foundation. Smink noted free community college could reduce the number of students who have to take remedial college classes since they did not get the same knowledge in high school. He thinks New York's budget proposal needs more investment in literacy instruction. "Part of the problem is students who are getting their teaching certification are not taught how to teach reading aligned with the science," Smink contended. "There's some efforts happening there but we'd have liked to see some funding to help SUNY teacher preparation programs align their instruction, so that when teachers get into the classroom they're already prepared and won't need any extra support or reteaching." New York State has one of the worst literacy rates in the country. National scores for the state's fourth and eighth grade students show declines in reading and math proficiency which have continued to slip since the pandemic.

#Virginia ranks third behind only #Maryland and #Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers. Virginia employers owe an average of more than $1,600 to nearly 3,500 employees. A report from the financial training website Goat Academy analyzing federal data found since 2021, nearly 4,800 wage theft violations have occurred. Paul Falabella, attorney and past president of the Virginia Employment Lawyers Association, said wage theft laws were passed only recently in the Commonwealth. He pointed out a lack of oversight combined with a construction boom may have contributed to Virginia's wage theft problem. "Virginia had no state law on wage theft and didn't have the ability for workers to sue directly," Falabella noted. "Workers had to go to either the federal or the state Department of Labor." It changed in July 2020, when the Virginia Wage Payment Act went into effect. The law gave workers the right to sue their employers in court for wage theft, which previously was impossible. Falabella added more resources at the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry would help address wage theft issues. But he acknowledged labor law enforcement depends on who is leading the Commonwealth. "The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry has been underfunded for a long, long time," Falabella asserted. "It's a little better now, but it depends on who's in charge, who's in the governor's office, how robust that enforcement might be, how much attention they're going to focus on workers' rights." The report, which analyzed U.S. Department of Labor data, found in total, more than $128 million in back wages are owed to U.S. workers. #wagetheft

Americans working multiple jobs to cover living expenses has become increasingly common. According to U.S. Census data, a significant portion of Midwestern workers hold secondary jobs. A study by the consulting firm My Perfect Resume found 71% of U.S. workers rely on additional income to make ends meet. Jasmine Escalara, reinvention coach for MyPerfectResume, noted while this extra work is necessary for many, it can negatively affect job performance. "Forty-nine percent of people surveyed said that their secondary source of income is actually impacting their performance at their primary job," Escalara reported. She noted the imbalance decreases the ability to achieve a lifestyle supporting a work-life balance. The lack of productivity brought on by stress and fatigue from a primary job means you are likely not putting in the extra investment needed to get higher pay, better titles or job promotions. Another shift affecting workers is the growing trend of companies mandating full-time office returns. For Ohioans who established routines around remote work, the shift can create disruptions and force difficult career decisions. Some workers may need to seek new opportunities if flexibility is a priority. Escalara advised employees to evaluate their options and consider a change if necessary. "If you have gotten a taste of this and you don't want to go back, then it's really about, 'I may need to find another company that's going to be able to give me this flexibility,'" Escalara noted. Among those surveyed, 21% of people surveyed report experiencing stress and burnout and spending less time with family and friends while juggling two jobs. Escalara suggested starting a job search to find a company permitting remote work.

#Mississippi families struggling with food insecurity are bracing for another difficult summer after state officials declined millions in federal funding meant to help feed low-income children during school break. The decision affects more than 324,000 children statewide and leaves families with fewer resources at a time when school meal programs are unavailable. Sarah Stripp, director of socioeconomic well-being for the nonprofit Springboard Opportunities, works with families in federally subsidized housing and said the rejection of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer EBT program puts additional strain on struggling households. "We know that many of our families struggle to be able to provide food for their families during the summer when they are not receiving those meals during the school year, which affects their ability to be able to do any of the things they want to do," Stripp explained. "If they're hungry, their children are hungry. That limits what they are able to do." Gov. Tate Reeves cited a desire to reject "attempts to expand the welfare state" as the primary reason for opting out. Under the Summer EBT program, eligible families would receive $40 per month per school-aged child, amounting to $120 per child for the summer in grocery benefits. Springboard Opportunities is stepping in to provide cash assistance to Jackson families living in federally subsidized housing but the organization can only reach a fraction of those in need. Stripp pointed out without federal aid, families are forced to redirect money from other essential expenses, such as gas and child care, to afford groceries. "To not be willing to take federal funding that would go directly to families, that would be spent at local grocery stores, at farmers markets, to prevent summer food insecurities," Stripp observed. "To me, it's a baffling choice." Stripp called on policymakers to listen to families' real struggles rather than rely on outdated narratives about poverty. While some school districts and community groups provide summer meal programs, many families in rural areas lack access to these resources due to transportation barriers and program limitations.

The number of registered electric vehicles in Indiana rose from 13,000 in 2023 to nearly 15,000 in 2024. However, plans to install more EV chargers in Indianapolis are on hold due to President Donald Trump's executive order to freeze federal spending linked to the 2024 Biden-Harris Administration Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Mo McReynolds, interim director of the Office of Sustainability for the City of Indianapolis, said the city applied for funding between 2021 and 2024 and was approved for millions last year and should the federal government authorize funding distribution within weeks or months, plans will designate local charging and fueling infrastructure sites to appear at popular neighborhood places. "We were awarded $15 million, in that realm, to establish as many sites as we can afford within that budget," McReynolds explained. "We're still determining that amount within a partnership with Indianapolis public libraries, Indy park locations and culturally relevant sites for Black and brown communities." Investments will make modern and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all drivers of electric, hydrogen, propane and natural gas vehicles. Indiana Vehicle Fuel Dashboard data shows Marion County has the highest number of state-registered vehicles under the four categories at slightly under 3,000. Union County has the lowest with four vehicles. Pending funding disbursement, McReynolds pointed out the initial $15 million grant timeline is for five years. It is meant to coordinate with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program for corridors and highways. Her office is establishing a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Authority for projects on a more local level. "Ours are more focused on the community, so we hope to begin that process this year," McReynolds emphasized. "We may begin procurement with EV charging companies in 2026." A significant amount of time will be taken to evaluate current and potential sites in Indianapolis. McReynolds indicated her office intends to do proper community engagement by speaking with residents to ensure EV chargers are welcome in their communities. Due to Trump's executive order to hold off on fund disbursement, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett is monitoring any further developments and is awaiting further guidance. #electricvehicles #evs

Conservation groups in #Maine are calling on the state's congressional delegation to protect federal funding for clean energy technologies. A new report found the state has benefited from more than $2 billion in clean energy investments stemming from the #InflationReductionAct and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Jack Shapiro, climate and clean energy program director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, said many of the programs have helped low-income and rural communities. "From a cost saving perspective, from an energy independence perspective, from a climate perspective, this is the right path to be on," Shapiro asserted. "We hope that we continue to have federal support to do that." Shapiro pointed out the state has received millions of additional dollars in climate resilience funding to better prepare for extreme weather events. The Trump administration is reported to be exploring ways to cancel already approved loans for clean energy and redirect those funds toward nuclear power and liquefied natural gas. Maine has set an ambitious goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2045 and the state has directed millions of dollars toward offshore wind energy projects, an electric vehicle charging network and electric heat pumps. Shapiro noted all corners of the state are benefiting from energy investments, including efforts to improve electric grid reliability. "Power outages are a frequent occurrence and that can be addressed by local energy production, like solar and local energy storage and microgrids," Shapiro outlined. "A number of these investments have gone to support those things as well." Shapiro added federal funding has also created good-paying jobs. The state's clean energy sector grew three times faster than the state's overall economy between 2016 and 2022 and now employs more than 15,000 people. Gov. Janet Mills has set a goal of 30,000 clean energy workers by 2030.

More than 60 counties in Pennsylvania have a shortage of public defenders for low-income residents who need these services. This Friday in #Pittsburgh, a recruitment event takes place to help fill jobs for public defenders' offices statewide. The University of Pittsburgh School of Law cohosts the statewide Career Day event with the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania (PDAP), to help connect law students from any law school with potential jobs. Megan Lovett, director of public interest and pro bono initiatives at the university, said so far, they have 50 or more applications, for internships and attorney positions. "We've had students that interviewed at this fair last year that ended up getting jobs in a county that maybe they wouldn't have considered before, and a county that may have had trouble recruiting from the law student population," Lovett reported. She hopes like last year, counties across the state will see applicants from this event. Each year, public defenders' offices handle cases, which would normally require more than 1,200 full-time attorneys but only about 850 are working statewide. Andrew Capone, assistant director of training for the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania, said he will be at the career fair, connecting law schools and individuals with these job opportunities. He argued a lack of state funding limits public defenders' offices, which drives the current shortage. But legislation passed last year should ensure indigent defense services for those who can't afford representation. "Pennsylvania was, up until last year, one of the only two states in the country that did not fund a public defender office; they left it to the counties," Capone pointed out. "Since that time, Governor Shapiro has given what he and I refer to as a 'down payment' on statewide indigent defense." Capone said Gov. Josh Shapiro allocated $7.5 million in the state budget, but divided among 67 counties, the effect is minimal, funding perhaps one additional attorney or staff member per office. Disclosure: The Public Defenders Association of Pennsylvania contributes to our fund for reporting on Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Poverty Issues.

The final deadline is approaching for members of the #Texas Legislature to decide on participating in the Summer EBT program, which provides grocery benefits to low-income families with students. The state did not participate in the program last summer. Clarissa Clark, government relations officer for the North Texas Food Bank, said if lawmakers do not meet the March 1 deadline, they are essentially leaving federal dollars on the table. "It's $450 million in federal taxpayer money that comes back to the state," Clark pointed out. "It helps with those who are food insecure, and it also puts money back into our economy, so there's a lot of wins to it." To qualify for Summer EBT, families must meet the income requirements for the National School Lunch Program or be certified for school meals through SNAP or Medicaid. The North Texas Food Bank is one of 80 organizations in the Texas Food Policy Roundtable calling for the program's implementation. The food bank could receive up to $60 million in benefits and help nearly 500,000 children in 12 north Texas counties. Clark noted child hunger increases during the summer because students do not have access to school meals. "The initiative provides low-income families with school-aged children, with $120 in food benefits on a debit card," Clark explained. "They can use that to buy food. If they don't get the summer meals, demand at our partner pantries goes up." The Texas Health and Human Services Commission needs direction from the legislature to move forward with the program for Summer 2025.

A bill making its way through the #Maryland General Assembly could protect renters from unjust evictions. House Bill 709 would create what is known as a "good cause" law. It would enable but not require local governments in Maryland to put eviction laws in place in their communities to prevent landlords from evicting tenants without cause. People could still be evicted for disorderly conduct that disturbs other residents, a major breach of a lease or causing damage to the property. Erica Puentes, legislative coordinator for the advocacy group Progressive Maryland, said the idea is to help keep Maryland families stable. "Good cause laws require transparency and accountability from corporate landlords for why they're choosing to evict a tenant," Puentes explained. "'Good cause' would prevent people from being evicted unless the landlord provides a good reason." A number of city leaders, including the mayors of Baltimore and Takoma Park, have expressed support for a good cause law in the past few years. But some developers and landlords have voiced opposition, saying it would make it more difficult to evict problem tenants. Corporate landlords file more than 5,000 eviction cases a year without providing a reason, according to the Public Justice Center.

A bipartisan nonprofit group in #Michigan is opposing pending legislation which would reverse a Michigan Supreme Court ruling, stripping paid sick leave and minimum wage protections, slated to take effect this month. In 2018, Michigan voters approved initiatives to raise the minimum wage and provide paid sick leave but the GOP-led Legislature amended them in the same session, which the court ruled was unconstitutional. Michigan's #minimumwage is currently slated to rise to $12.48 on Feb. 21 and reach $14.97 by 2028. Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, stressed how the proposed laws would affect Michiganders, especially low-income residents. "If you get sick, your child breaks their leg, and you need to take a day or two off from work, you're not able to do so," Stanton pointed out. "That means you're making a choice between taking care of your child or being able to pay your utility bills, or being able to make your rent." The new proposed legislation sets the minimum wage at $12 an hour this year, with tipped wages at 38% of the regular wage. If it becomes law, some Michigan workers' yearly pay will be reduced by $1,000 to $2,400 in the coming years. Read more below. Disclosure: The Michigan League for Public Policy/Kids Count contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Children's Issues, Livable Wages/Working Families, and Poverty Issues.