March 19, 2008
Consumer
Do Subprime Loans Create Subprime Cities?
In this paper, published by the Economic Policy Institute as part of its Agenda for Shared Prosperity, Gregory D. Squires contends that increasing economic inequality and diminishing access to conventional financial services have become inextricably linked. The report notes that, while not all subprime loans are predatory, virtually all predatory loans are in the subprime market. Subprime lending and fringe bankers are concentrated in communities with high unemployment rates and declining housing values, and they serve to reinforce those neighborhood characteristics. http://www.sharedprosperity.org/bp197/bp197.pdf
Education
Virginia Proposal Would Erode Parents' Right to Consent to Termination of Special Education Plans, Says Legal Aid Justice Center Attorney
Bristol Herald Courier (Virginia), March 2, 2008
Emily Suski, an attorney with JustChildren, a program of the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, writes in the Bristol Herald Courier: "Virginia is considering changes to special education rules that would erode parental rights with respect to their children's special education plans, or individualized education plans . . . . Under the proposed changes . . . [p]arents would no longer have the right to consent before a partial or complete termination of their children's special education services. Additionally, at least in the case of a partial termination of services, no evaluation would be required before the services are terminated." http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/sports.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2008-03-02-0050.html
Housing
Paying More for the American Dream
Subprime mortgage lenders that ceased operations in 2007 saturated communities of color across the country with high-cost home loans before going under, according to a report released by a multi-state collaboration of research, policy, and advocacy organizations. Most of these lenders captured large market shares in communities of color and made few, if any, loans elsewhere. As these institutions' loans enter into default and foreclosure, lower-income and communities of color are bearing the brunt of the negative impacts, such as increased crime and depressed property values.
http://nedap.org/documents/MultistateHMDAReport-Final21.pdf
Medicaid
Medicaid Regulations Will Weaken Coverage, Harm States
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that a series of Medicaid regulations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services over the last year could significantly affect health care at the state and local level. Taken together, the regulations will reduce federal Medicaid spending by more than $15 billion over the next five years. Moreover, the regulations will restrict how Medicaid pays for hospital services, graduate medical education, outpatient services, school-based health services, services for individuals with disabilities, and case management services. http://www.cbpp.org/2-13-08health.htm
Welfare
Ten Years After Welfare Reform: Making Work Pay
Since the 1990s, welfare reform has focused on job placement as the key to reducing the nation's welfare rolls. Yet, many welfare-to-work participants are still struggling. Northwestern Journal of Law and Social Policy will hold a symposium, Ten Years After Welfare Reform: Making Work Pay, on April 4, 2008. The symposium will explore the need for improved work and income supports, such as child and health care, the Earned Income Tax Credit and TANF. Panelists will include John Bouman, President of the Shriver Center, as well as Richard Caputo, Greg Duncan, Peter Edelman, Ron Haskins, and Felicia Kornbluh.
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/journals/njlsp/symposia.html
Please submit links to poverty law websites or news stories to Mary at mrea@mnlegalservices.org or call 651-228-9105 ext. 106 for more information.
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