POLS EXAM 5

Isn't there a DREAM law in TX?

Long before a federal DREAM act was considered by Congress, some states allowed young, undocumented residents to attend their public universities at in-state tuition rates ◦ Of course, no state can change the immigration status of any of their residents—that is a power reserved for the federal government Texas has been one of those DREAM states since 2001 ◦ HB 1403: "Relating to the eligibility of certain persons to qualify as residents of this state for purposes of higher education tuition or to pay tuition at the rate provided to residents of this state" --- Now more conveniently called "the Texas DREAM Act" ◦ Other states with similar laws: CA, IL, KS, NM, NY, OK, UT, WA

Per student 2014 Public Ed funding by state

Texas ranked 8th lowest that year in this analysis where texas is 8th from the bottom, states that spend the most are New York dc Alaska New Jersey Connecticut and Vermont. Have high cost of living.

A quick, high level explanation from a major healthcare insurer... video

how health insurance works? its about the economy of scale. Safety in numbers. Insurance covers group so you share the costs of staying healthy. Uses pool of money for accidents. People in group helps offset cost of the unhealthy people. So you only pay copay and deductible.

"Mind the Gap" How many people are affected and where do they live?

look at the gap 2015 see distributed by state texas has 1/4 of those people who fit in the gap. Florida has a bit less than 20%. North Carolina and Georgia 2/3. Divide by region south is full 90% a total of 4 million people and 1 million are in texas

Does the picture change when TANF and SNAP benefits are considered together? Remember:• The reasonableness of the Poverty Line as a measure of minimum expenses is highly questionable

texas 50% when you look at food stamps it only gets texas up to 50%, family of three helps but not enough

Superintendent indicts state system for funding schools unfairly

two school districts in same state and adjacent counties: 1st school district median income is 176,000 no students qualify for lunch program 2nd district 34000 over 95% qualify wealthier School district receives 1000 dollars more per people from state funding. can only afford standardized tests.

The single most-impacting thing you can do about poverty in your state...

...is start a friendly conversation with a low-income "stranger" ◦ They are all around us: housekeepers, food servers, store clerks, etc. Risk making friends with people who struggle to make a living ◦ They'll probably have no interest in asking for handouts from you Listen to what they say about their life and how they understand the world around them ◦ What are their hopes and plans? What about their family's? ◦ Are their efforts to move ahead succeeding? Why or why not? Become involved in their lives, coming along side them to assist and to celebrate, as friends do Evaluate your own assumptions about "those in poverty" against the realities you learn through these relationships Ask yourself, what policy would make sense for my friends' life situations? Inspect other's proposals using the 3-P framework, or other approach to critical analysis

...so why were so many insurers quitting ACA?

A lot of reasons are behind these decisions Two big ones: ◦ Insurance companies competed with each other to sell subsidized policies via ACA— some companies priced their policies too low, and couldn't make enough profit ◦ ACA policy buyers were sicker than even the government anticipated, so had more claims Private market-based solution? Private market risks

Key Points about Poverty

It is a relative condition ◦ Someone you label as in poverty may not see themselves that way, but instead someone else that is struggling more than them It occurs in all races & all countries It is the lower end of a continuous spectrum of economic class, without any precise starting point Generational and situational poverty are 2 types ◦ Generational: enduring phenomenon for >2 generations ◦ Situational: circumstances-driven, lasts shorter time Poverty is not just about too little money ◦ Has pervasive effects on individuals & families: how they think, how they dream, how they interact with society ◦ Even if income level rises, changes to thought patterns, social interactions, cognitive strategies come much more slowly People raised in poverty bring with them different hidden rules than those of the middle class ◦ "Could You Survive in Poverty?" (read by instructor) ◦ Example of "Hidden Rules" concerning food: --- Poverty: Quantity is important Did you have enough? --- Middle Class: Quality is important Did you like it? ---- Wealth: Presentation is important Was it presented well? ◦ Another example, concerning education: --- Poverty: Valued and revered as abstract, but not as reality --- Middle Class: Crucial for climbing success ladder and making money --- Wealth: Necessary tradition for making and maintaining connections People raised in poverty will be out of place in schools and businesses because rules there are those of middle- class Should underlying, alien realities of poverty alter our proposed "solutions" to poverty problem?

What's the Disconnect between Jobs & Poverty?

Many impoverished Texans have full-time jobs, ormultiple part-time jobs Why? Texas has a lot of low-wage jobs ◦ >25% of jobs in state ◦ Only 8 other states have more per capita ◦ Very few low-wage employees can afford the basics (housing, childcare, food, healthcare, and transportation) ◦ These employees often only offered 15-30 hours per week at each job, and offered no benefits When Texans brag about adding jobs, important to ask what wages that those jobs are paying! ...So, is "Get a job!" a sufficient solution to the problem of poverty?

Applying the 3 "Illegal Immigration" P's to the issue of illegal immigration

Requires a 4th P : Proof! ◦ What data and analyses... --- ...are available to substantiate the arguments being made? --- ...are being left out of which arguments? --- ...are being misinterpreted? ◦ Which beliefs are inconsistent with the facts, in part or on the whole? Think critically about all that you hear, read, see, and say!

What's a "Low Wage?"

Start with the FPL for a family of 4 ◦ This is an annual wage amount Divide by 2080, the number of work hours in 1 year ◦ Assumes 40 hrs/week, 52 weeks/year So in 2018, it was about $12/hour So any wage below $12/hour was considered a "low wage" in 2018 How easy is it to get a job that pays less than $12/hour? What about more than $12/hour? What does this tell us?

Why Winning & Not Winning Matters

We have studied all semester how elites win more often in politics and government This reality is actually a reflection of social rules within our society ◦ No matter our socio-economic level, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other demarcation, we all operate within a culture of winning vs. not-winning ◦ The winners get more—more importantly, the rules say they deserve to get more—otherwise they wouldn't be winners! ◦ The nasty corollary that is often true, but we rarely acknowledge: Not everyone is a winner—not everyone is "deserving," or of equal value according to those same rules

policy, schmolicy- so what?

comes back around, policy matters to someone there are impacts and those impacts impact People. people: Me? Us? Them? Why? Winners or losers? How? To what degree? For how long? impacts: comes back around, policy matters to someone there are impacts and those impacts impact People. people shape policy impacts people

Three Keys to Good Governance?

hree facets of any policy are highlighted by my "3-P's" analysis framework ◦ Principles ◦ Practicalities ◦ People Arguably, the best policy outcomes result from keeping all 3 of these P's in sight ◦ Contents of each "P," and prioritization between the 3-P's will vary across persons and situations ◦ Some aspects of each "P" may overlap - hard to avoid!

If we don't have a DREAM law, what is DACA?

"Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" is an Executive Branch policy established by Obama administration (prosticural discretion, only gonna process certain crimes) ◦ Started in 2012 as a response to the failure of the DREAM bill in Congress that year ◦ Changed the implementation of immigration law to create "breathing space" for DREAMers by allowing them to enroll, then have any deportation actions deferred for 2 years (renewable) ◦ This policy was based on the well-established precedent ofprosecutorial discretion: the President cannot enforce all laws with equal rigor because resources are too limited, thus the President can focus resources onto or away from certain matters In Nov 2014, President Obama announced an expansion of this executive action to cover more young undocumented immigrants, as well as their parents ◦ Would have covered up to 5 million undocumented residents ◦ Blocked by the federal courts after TX and 16 other states sued

How Does Government Measure Poverty?

"Federal Poverty Line" is outdated measure based on tripling the cost of buying food for a year in 1963, then adjusted every year since then based on inflation (built under the assumption that 30% was food, but now its on housing child care and insurance, food doesn't even come close to being 1/3, take 1/3 of food by 3 to measure poverty this isn't accurate it depends on where u live cause prices are different, changing this makes poverty line to raise a lot, ) ◦ Major expense is no longer food ◦ Major expenses now: housing, transportation, healthcare, childcare ◦ Measure underestimates # of people experiencing poverty ◦ This single number is used by feds and most states ---- NOT adjusted for cost of living, except in Alaska and Hawaii ◦ Politicians don't want to correct this measure "on their watch" because count of impoverished would increase sharply CPPP- center for public policy priorities a liberal leaning think tank

2012 Maximum Monthly TANF a Family of Three with Benefit for No Income What else does this tell us about Texas "welfare" policy then?

$249

An example of medical costs for an insured individual with an HDP* in a single month... * High Deductible Plan (for people who need cheap insurance but has high deductible less premium)

$250 - Cost of monthly premium ◦ You must pay this without fail, whether you use the insurance or not! ◦ Does not count toward your high deductible $150 - Price paid for monthly asthma medication ◦ Medications often cost a lot less ($5), or a lot more ($900) than this $650 - Total charges from the urgent care center and the radiologist for diagnosis and treatment of your sprained wrist You will pay full price for all services until you have paid your deductible in full for that year. High deductibles can range from $1K - $15K+ (150 and 650) Only after you have "met your deductible," will you begin to pay lower fees for physician visits, prescriptions, etc. Until then, the only benefit your HDP insurance provides is to guard you against catastrophic bills resulting from a serious illness or injury (along with needed preventative care). once you've met you deductible insurance kicks in

2012 Maximum Monthly Income for a Family of Three to Qualify for TANF Benefits (temporary assistance for needy families) What does this tell us about Texas "welfare" policy then?

$401 This is the equivalent of working 16 hours each week at minimum wage, while supporting 3 other family members.... if they make a dollar more they dont quality. barely qualify small help. Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, missisipi, alabama, indiana, Pennsylvania, all have really low maximum monthly incomes. Texas was $401. 402 dollars no help. These federal programs such as TANF and medicaid are partnerships with the states. Because of that, the federal government pays in certain amount and there is a minimum the state has to contribute as well. They can contribute more if they want. Because state puts money in federal gives them leeway on to how this TANF money will be spent. Texas has a large pop and high poverty, a lot of money coming in but its not given to the families in Wisconsin, Alaska, and virginia the minimum monthly income to qualify for a family of three is 15000 to 2000 its a lot more. Alaska has a higher cost of living but not so much in Wisconsin, in some places in virginia yes. in texas the max benefit is 249 dollars per month, as income goes up this drops. Alaska California and New York are 720 to 960 per month but higher cost of living.

How is silence policy?

- It denies legitimacy to a cause and to its advocates - It leverages the infamously short attention span of Americans (so it works, squirrel, our inattentiveness is used) ◦ Measured in minutes or days ◦ Manipulated in many ways - An issue ignored can quickly become an issue forgotten by enough people that the status quo will not change (if you dont want any change)

Applying the 3-P's to the issue of "Illegal Immigration"

( Principles: ◦ Rule of law: Illegalities should be punished ◦ Fairness: "Wait your turn" ◦ Diversity: "Melting pot" is basis of US strength ◦ Security: Safety of citizens is vital ◦ Stasis: Keep things as they are ◦ Compassion: Sacrificially helping others ...are there conflicts between any of these? ...what do we do where conflicts between principles exist? beliefs Practicalities: ...a notional list ◦ There are a lot of illegal immigrants --- How many? But there are many different reasons that make the number go up/down over time. What are they? ◦ It is very difficult to control illegal immigration --- Other nations have also learned this lesson. Who are they, and what did they learn? (Israel, east Jerusalem, Gaza Strip) ------ When do walls work? (smugglers cut, human ingenuity trumps wall) ------- What is the effect of the strength and nature of the motivation of the immigrant? Can anyone effectively stop the law of supply & demand? (they have strong motivations) ◦ Illegal immigrants draw from AND contribute to the economy --- Do illegal immigrants take or make jobs? --- Which job sectors are dependent on illegal workers? facts People: ...a notional list ◦ Much more diverse population than most of us realize --- Why do they come and what do they want? ◦ Many have invested themselves in their communities --- What has living here meant to them? --- How have they already invested in America? ◦ The consequences of deportation can be dire for them --- Risks to life, health, relationships, hope ◦ Texans often know one or more illegal immigrants, but often may not realize this --- Do those people fit the stereotypes we often carry? Very important "People" question:"What do I see when I try to look through THEIR eyes?"

Poverty 1960-2014

(Counting all individuals at or below federal poverty line that year, along with their dependents) see couple of lines, top is an account variable millions in poverty (shows total number of individuals in each one of those years which are at or below federal poverty line in that year depending on size of fam) it was getting better in 1975 then we lost controls and 90s brought back down second line is percent population in poverty (other variable includes population, poverty up could be because of pop). Bottom line is better, but no significant progress until the 90s. Percent pop in poverty varies in 2014 average is 15%

How is doing nothing policy?

- All words and no action = No actual change - Reasons can be partisan (wasn't going to produce anything) or incidental (not intentional) ◦ Partisan: "Tossing a bone" to those demanding action ◦ Partisan: Enabling credit claiming and plausible deniability ("We tried!" or "What? That never happened?") ◦ Incidental: Any of the reasons we studied in Chpt 9 that makes legislation hard (Budget shortfalls, packed schedules, too many bills) - Doing nothing also leverages the infamously short attention span of Americans ◦ Examples?

Poverty by Age 1960-2014

...Could this change a person's perspective about poverty and what the government ought to do? 65 and older has huge progress in age group in 60 and 70 because of increase in social security and war on poverty. Trend went down look at 10-64 and it looks really well 8% not 0 under 18 starts almost at 28% and comes down rapidly during great society LBJ did then up and down then climbs up again during energy crisis in late 70 then up and down then improved in 90s then back pop after 9/11

Beyond the pledges: where the states stand on Medicaid uninsured population

...No. Actually most of the states that are turning down the expansion have the largest percentages of non insured residents this chart says its not the case,

Beyond the pledges: where the states stand on Medicaid (towards expansion)

...So do the states that are turning down the expansion have large percentage of already insured residents? (...next slide) so states as of 2013, dark red did not expand (south) dark blue expanded and lighter they are thinking one wya or another purple are thinking of a third way . said nit necessary

How many Texas college students are DREAMers?

2% (in 2013, per Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) ◦ Of those, majority attended community college in 2013 71.6 comm 28.3 uni ◦ At Texas A&M in 2013, there were 451 DREAMers enrolled (0.85%)

TX Per Student Public Ed Funding Texas Elementary-Secondary education spending per student (totals are inflation adjusted showing in 2016 dollars)

2007 Funding legislature cut $5B in the 2012 2013 biennium ...and then added back in $3B here ...but why doesn't it look like $3B?) 2007 funding level is firs column, there are increases in per child funding it ends up being the same amount of money that was spent in 2007 per student in texas. Yes we were doing in 2010 and in 2011 sales tax hit and they took 5 billion out. 2013 put 3 billion back in 2016 no increase same as 20076. F116 revenue source federal 10.2% state 37.9 local 51.9 share between state and federal government has become more unequal and the burden has gone more under local district

Poverty within Texas affected which two groups of Texans the most in 2014?

2018 overall poverty rate in texas is 15.5% children and disability

How much does insurance cost?

A great primer on the vocabulary of healthcare insurance... sometimes you pay money towards health care sometimes insurance does. To know when u need to know the premium, deductible, and out of pocket maximum. Premium is monthly membership. You get some care for free (preventative). services beyond preventative care need to pay extra. How much changes over time. There are three stages 1) you pay 2) insurance pays some and you pay some 3) insurance pays everything. stage 1- you pay until you reach deductible (money you need to pay before insurance shares costs) stage 2- now insurance shares cost. You pay co pay or co insurance and insurance pays rest. When you reach a certain amount insurance pays all this amount is out of pocket maximum (1 year). stage 3- insurance pays rest for rest of the year starts over every year

What's the issue? What if you can't pay?

A large number of Americans are uninsured and cannot afford medical care, so they delay it, skip it, or go to a nearby Emergency Room and then do not pay their bill because they cant afford to do so ◦ People who push out or avoid care have significantly worse health, productivity, quality of life, and life expectancy ◦ Those who obtain "indigent" (goes to ER and cant pay) care from hospital emergency rooms each leave thousands of dollars in unpaid bills that others must eventually pay Depending on your perspective, these "uninsureds" result in one or more problems ◦ Humanitarian - They suffer individually, sometimes greatly ◦ Societal - Their poor health hurts their families and communities ◦ Economic - They are burdens on commercial productivity and drain away tax and charity dollars from other needs

ACA and the States (or, "How policy can get a lot messier... fast!")

Affordable Care Act originally required all states toexpand Medicaid coverage to more residents starting in 2014 (states need to pick up 40% fo year, it originally said that for several years federal pays all then over years its increased then max is 10%) ◦ To provide Medicaid services for all citizens at or below 133% of federal poverty level ACA also required each state to establish an "insurance exchange" so residents could obtain private insurance subsidized by the federal government (did not say that everyone is included in medicare its a private market solution but government is paying role of employer) In 2013, US Supreme Court upheld ACA law in general, but struck down "state mandate" (texas sued since they said you cant force them to have to pay more to provide insurance, supported decision and struck state mandate so it became optional) ◦ Federal government cannot force additional Medicaid coverage upon states, nor can it force each state to establish an insurance exchange

How Can Governments Decrease Poverty Levels?

All states say they want this to happen, but approach the problem with varying vigor Poverty was decreasing until 2000 (9/11), but has increased substantially since then ◦ Also, gap is widening between those in "top 10%" income bracket and the rest of us States use various, standard policy ingredients, each using its own "recipe": ◦ Boost welfare programs ◦ Increase wages ◦ Increase education opportunities ◦ Provide basic healthcare

What's Up? What would you expect to pay for a "major medical" Emergency Room visit? (e.g., gallbladder problem that doesn't result in surgery)

Answer depends on a lot of different things: How did you get to the ER? (ambulance is expensive) Is it a standalone or hospital ER? If hospital, is it private or public? How many tests were ordered? What imaging was ordered? How many specialists consulted? Were you given oxygen? Meds?

Governments and Education Levels

As we said before, ALL states want to have "excellent" public education programs ◦ High school completion is an explicit goal, and also a common measure ◦ "Excellence," though, is in the eye of the beholder (varies) Increased funding is one way that states and local governments seek to improve their HS graduation rate (one way to achieve excellence) So... is there a positive relationship between educational resources ($$ spent) and results (HS graduates)?

Focusing on two off any educational policy issues

Assessing quality of K-12 public education systems is a frequent objective ◦ Measure #1: How much and how fairly do states fund? ◦ Measure #2: How many graduates & dropouts result? We won't address other issues also worthy of hard questions, careful use of data, and strong suspicions of biased conclusions ◦ Standardized testing as a reliable & valid measure of learning and progress ◦ Pros and cons of traditional and alternative schooling models (e.g., charter schools) ◦ Other facets of school funding: --- Performance-based funding: Schools with higher marks get more $$$$ --- Vouchers: Parents receive their student's "share" of public ed funding, and are free to spend it at private schools

Does DACA deliver a promise or a threat?

Benefits of the program for enrollees "◦ Coming out of the shadows" of hidden status and fear of deportation ◦ "Getting a number" to make travel, obtaining a drivers license, and attending a university possible ◦ More closely aligning their internal sense of being "American"with their official status But are the risks worth the promise? ◦ Registration requires applicants to identify their undocumented status to the government, as well as provide detailed information about them and family members (some of whom were also undocumented) ◦ What could happen at the end of their deferment if Congress has not created a path to permanent residency?

Which policy is the right one? (depends on who u are and if you are winning or loosing)

Conflicting perspectives between, among andwithin states & localities Conservatives: ◦ Emphasize individual's responsibility and impact on society as a whole (especially safety & security) ◦ Example: Criminal behavior is often due to individual's character flaw, so rehabilitation usually doesn't work and individual must be punished to protect society Liberals: ◦ Emphasize society's responsibility and impact on individuals (especially individual rights & dignity) ◦ Example: Criminal behavior is often largely due to society's failure, so individual can and should be rehabilitated so can have a fulfilling and contributing future Overlap often exists between conservatives and liberals ◦ Perspectives are not mutually exclusive, especially over time (Remember the HW 11 readings about criminal sentencing reform) ◦ Conservatives will sometimes admit some societal responsibility and elevate issues of rights & dignity DAR: Seems to be true whenever the criminal has beenhumanized (granted unmistakably human qualities so as not to be able to be treated as an object) ◦ Liberals will sometimes recognize some criminals as inherently bent toward crime and elevate issues of safety ---DAR: Seems to be true sometimes when the criminal has harmed something that is precious (e.g., loved one, community)

When do politicians care more about social safety net policies?

Conservative vs. Liberal political ideologies may help explain overall positions based on differing ideas of the role of government But what about other influences? ◦ Religious beliefs ◦ Moral convictions ◦ Awareness of facts & associated math ◦ Personal knowledge or involvement of individuals in need of the safety net ◦ Understanding of our economic system

Why did Texas Not Expand?

Didn't want additional federal intervention in state ◦ BUT one-third of state budget is already coming from feds Planned to devise "Texas Plan" to reform healthcare (wanted money with no strings attached) ◦ BUT would feds agree to return Medicaid-funding tax $$ to Texas? ◦ BUT would Texas be able to craft more efficient system? ◦ BUT would Texas be willing to use "new money" to extend benefits to new beneficiaries, or find other "pressing" needs? Couldn't afford additional costs (most additional costs was 10%) ◦ BUT most all of costs was to have been funded by feds BUT studies had shown large numbers of new jobs would accompany the enlargement of healthcare system Didn't trust federal government wouldn't continue to pay promised bills ◦ BUT already trusting feds to pay for roads, school lunches, etc.

Some Recent History of Texas Education Funding

Equality of funding across poor and rich districts is long-standing major issue ◦ Districts have sued the state 6 times since early 1980s (districts that get less money) ◦ Key issue: "poor districts" do not receive sufficient state funds to deliver equal quality education as "well-off districts" (less property tax) --- Tax base varies widely across Texas school districts, as do number of children requiring education—some are rich from property taxes and have relatively few children to educate ◦ "Robin Hood" system in Texas calls on wealthier districts to transfer some of their funding to poorer districts—but system is resented, plagued with problems, and hasn't resolved inequalities (how texas tried to fix it) (parents dont like that so sometimes schools lower tax rates to be below cut off so they dont have to do that) Multiple "fixes" have been proposed, approved, defeated, and overturned ◦ "Rich" districts fight hard against any attempt to redistribute any of their funding

Considerations of people can take many forms, go in many directions

For example "illegal immigrants" can look just like you ◦ e. g. , "Dreamers" ◦ Accepted as "normal" American teenagers, young adults ◦ They've grown up with you and consider this to be their home, just as you do Why are they "illegal"? ◦ Commonly, brought to U.S. by undocumented parents ◦ Many came at young age - U.S. is the only country they know ◦ Attend American schools, play sports, win awards, and plan for careers and achievement ◦ Many do not learn of their undocumented status until they are teenagers --- The status of the family is a closely guarded community secret

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Formally: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ◦ Colloquially: "Obamacare" ◦ Passed by Congress, signed by the President ◦ Hard-fought battle between many major interest group & political party players --- Hospitals, doctors, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, etc. --- All wanted to ensure they were "winners" in at least some aspect Remember about the role of interest groups in Chpt 7 Wide-reaching, multifaceted federal law to address very serious problems in the American healthcare system (the mechanism created is not ideal, there needs to be some changes, the democrats didn't want it to be opened up because of republicans so it needs some changes) ◦ Created a non-ideal mechanism for low-income Americans to obtain affordable health insurance ◦ Authorized expansion of Medicaid to cover more needy individuals ◦ Plus important reforms that most people don't credit to ACA: --- Created minimum standards for what bills would be covered by a policy --- Made it illegal for insurers to deny insurance coverage to anyone due to their health conditions --- Allowed adult children to remain on their parents' policy for much longer period of time

Take the Challenge: Play "Spent"

Get an idea of how difficult it is to navigate a typical situation for someone in poverty Experience a bit of the reality that, under conditions of poverty, circumstances drive choices more than one's own resourcefulness This is a simulation, so options offered to you will be frustratingly few - but ism that part of the point? Individuals in poverty have far more limited options than those with more economic resources and opportunities....

Can state and local policies affect education, poverty, and health?

Goals shared by all states, but have many differing approaches (you would think so because all of the states will have policies in these areas but that doesn't mean that they all have the same type of policy ◦ Poverty: state offer More or less assistance? To whom (who qualifies)? ◦ Health: More or less coverage? For whom? ◦ Education: More or less funding? For whom? ◦ Immigration: More or less enforcement? Focused on who? Texas' very conservative position on these issues: ◦ Poverty: Less assistance. Focused on kids and pregnant moms. ◦ Health: Less coverage. Focused on kids and elderly. ◦ Education: Less funding. Focused on richer districts. ◦ Immigration: Enforced on individuals & local governments, not on businesses. Do these pose a problem for Texans? ...For you or yours?

What About System Output: How Does Texas Rank in High School Graduates?

Here are the rates from the Texas Education Commissioner & U.S. Dept of Education: 2007 78% grad rate climbing uo to 2009 slowly 2009 80.6% 2010 84.3% jumped almost 4 percent then went up from there and tied in number 3 4 2 5 4 5 (final) in us this happened in just 4 years in 2007 we were very low 2013 2nd

What Does Inequitable School Funding Look Like in Texas? texas averages 2007-2009

Higher District necessity costs greater needs less healthy local economics depiction of inequity in texas school districts. tehy split the different school districts into 5 different groups. Before they do that they line them up from riches district on left and poorest on right. Highest quantile on right means highest quantile of poverty rate.

What Does Unequitable School Funding Look Like in Texas?

Higher district necessity costs greater student needs less healthy local economies State is paying more of the bill But these gaps are the issue the darkest blue bottom of bar is local tax revenue from property tax. There is a difference in the property value that is being taxed the medium blue and light color at top are two different colors of state funding. notice as combination of medium and light blues is shorter for the lowest quantile school than the poorer (highest quintile schools). So state is paying more of bill which is a good thing. Trying to make uo for some of difference. But the issue remains since there is an initial drop off of 1000 dollars because of the property tax.

What's so tough about this issue? Government Can Only Help Some

How does someone who is uninsured obtain long-term help with their medical bills? ◦ Under the Affordable Care Act, people with income at or above 133% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) can obtain health insurance for reduced premiums that are keyed to their annual income (e.g., about $200/mo for a person making $24,000 per year for 133 for 400 barely any coverage) (government subsidized private insurance program not free) --- The federal government heavily subsidizes the actual premium amount to make it affordable for individuals --- These individuals will still need to pay $1000s more each year in premiums, deductibles, co-pays, etc. --- WARNING: Available plans can be confusing and may be accepted by very few doctors ◦ For those too young/old/sick to work, or otherwise with income below the FPL, there is the federal Medicaid program --- Pays for all necessary medical care --- Not same as Medicare (for seniors) --- Joint federal-state program, but feds pay most of costs via grants (feds pay 60 states pay 40 total amount of program depends on amount of impoverished people in state) --- However, the states tailor their programs to determine who is eligible and who is not - Texas has some of tightest restrictions (block grant brings in money with a lot of restrictions texas has one of the highest restrictions)

How to evaluate old programs or new proposals to "fix" poverty

How much may states adjust how benefits are distributed? (TANF program is more beneficial in some states than others) ◦ Who? (by age, gender, and income) ◦ How? (monthly or annually, direct or indirect) (annual fail, save is hard) How livable is a family's income level, after counting in all forms of assistance? ◦ Which characteristics of that family would result in less assistance? Why? How much reliance is placed on the private market? ◦ Are there proper incentives for providers? ◦ Are there safeguards for recipients and the public? Access detailed analyses from both conservative & liberal perspectives to get a fuller picture

winners and not winners

I won the jackpot in 1962, and have won again many times since! ◦ White, straight male born in U.S., military officer, Ph.D. IMPORTANT: ◦ Recognizing ourselves as winning or not in a particular area is acknowledging a reality ...not intended to be shaming ...not intended to be guilt-inducing ◦ This recognition is powerful in understanding how we view ourselves, how we view others, and how we are viewed --- Not all of us have the same advantages --- Nor do all of the advantages we have come to us in the same way: some are by luck, others by hard work, almost all are a mix of both Winners often don't understand those who are not winning... Not - winners often don't understand those who are winning... I will first read several short descriptors of characteristics of winners ◦ You may have never thought of one or more of these as a marker of "winning" When I read a descriptor that applies to you, please stand for 3 seconds (if you so choose) before sitting back down Please remain silent throughout this exercise, but do look around often and notice who is standing and who is not Finally, I will repeat the exercise with several descriptors of "not-winning" ◦ Some of these may be unexpected, as well

What's a Aggie to do about immigration issues?

Immigration is a hot, emotional issue right now atnational & state levels ◦ Many more issues than discussed here—big one in Texas isborder security Take the time to independently learn more facts, as well as to consider what's at stake ◦ Talk to fellow Aggies from the Valley, they know more about immigration realities than most policy "experts" ◦ Checkout this FactCheck.org video and get motivated to do your own fact checking:

Where Texas stood in 2014 (by the numbers)

In 2014, 24% of Texans were uninsured* (1/4, 1 years after Obamacare began) (they did not support advertising why number is diff) ◦ This was a 3% improvement from 2013 In 2014, 23% of low- income Texans had obtained insurance under the ACA (full 1/4) ◦ This rate is 5% less than for all low-income Americans ◦ Of all ACA-insured Texans, 84% of them are receiving a federal subsidy toward their monthly premiums Texas still led the nation in uninsured residents * "uninsured" excludes individuals with Medicaid

Educated Enough in Texas?

In 2015, Texas spent $8,998 per student, 46th in U.S ◦ National average: $11,674 per student ◦ Annual difference is $59,000 less per 22-pupil elementary classroom in Texas put that way, hard to believe the absence of that much money wouldn't make a big difference! ◦ Opponents of spending increases assert difference is due to state's lower cost of living Political leadership has grappled with the problem for decades - How much is enough? (how much money is enough money) ◦ Many years of discussion, political wrangling, judicial coercion ◦ Difficult to address in low-taxation, spend-less culture (such as in texas, hard to convince people to increase spending) ◦ Often leads lots of speeches but no-action or little-action policy choices

How did 2019 Legislature's HB 3 Affect 2020-2021 School Funding?

Increased state contribution by about $10B BUT also directed school districts to cut property tax rates, reducing local contributions What will be overall affect? ◦ We'll find out in ~2022!

Some Recent History of Texas Education Funding

Increases to education funding over and beyond inflation are rare—increases to keep up with inflation and population don't happen often, either! ◦ Yet, student population grew 700K from 2004 to 2012 to total of 4.7 million pupils ◦ State formulas for distributing state money are old enough to not reflect population changes in fast-growing cities Great recession of 2008 hurt many states and almost all slashed public education spending ◦ Texas Legislature took $5 billion in 2011 from biennial budget of $35 billion ...that's 15% of education money that biennium! (took 1/7 of budget) ◦ In face of great public outcry, restored $3+ billion in 2013 --- ...but it would have taken $5,178,226,096.85 to replace the original $5B!

Why healthcare insurance?

Individuals turn to insurance coverage because medical bills can be highly unpredictable and very expensive ◦ An unexpected accident or dire diagnosis can release a catastrophic cascade of bills for life-saving and health-restoring medical care This is the type of situation that makes insurance profitable: ◦ HIGH risk, LOW predictability (why they are profitable) ◦ Insurance companies "spread the risk" of any one of their "insureds" having to pay for large medical bills by having ALL of them pay out regular premiums instead REMINDER: Without healthcare insurance, not afford their medical bills most Americans could

Correlations Between State Spending Per Child in Average Daily Attendance twenty years earlier and educational attainment

It is the money that is injected much earlier that impacts education completion at these upper levels. But what does the strength of the correlations say about the clarity of that linkage? DR. Tucker chose a 20 year lag, looked 20 years earlier to see avg spending per student. It takes time to make contract and build building same for teacher. It is a better measure and there is stronger correlation for high school.

Why Does Texas Rank So Highly?

Many celebrate these numbers, while others scratch their heads ◦ When you divide the number of HS grads in 2013 by the number of 9th graders in 2009, the 2013 completion rate is closer to 72% ◦ Instead, Texas uses a federally approved measure of HS completion --- Complex system that tracks each 9th grader through graduation, or transferring dropping out --- Numerous "codes" can be used to classify a student's non-graduation as one that does not count against the HS completion rate (issue is who is watching the coders) --- Permits "credit recovery" programs used by many TX districts—allow failing students to re- earn credits needed for graduation (graduation due to this we dont know) Watch dogs & some school board members question accuracy of withdrawal coding and rigor of credit-recovery classes— point to lack of college readiness Next time you visit your old high school ask them if they think the measure is solid!

Considerations of practicalities is best built on facts , not myths

Many myths about immigration are accepted by Americans as facts ◦ Here are some testable insights... policy ed video 2015: - immigrants dont take natives jobs myths 1. more and more undocumented immigrants are entering the US. since 2007 more have left than entered because of the recession and more enforcement. 2. immigrants dont take jobs. Women began to work and number of jobs went up. Same effect here. 3. the us already has enough workers: us doesn't have growing workforce. birth rates have fallen 4. immigrants dont reduce wages. Wages have feen falling for decades in the US. During largest immigration it was a positive factor on their wages. Immigrants are also consumers. 2019 video quartz: - more immigrates lead to more crime is false. Native born Americans are more likely to commit crimes than legal or illegal immigrants. they face deportation. Illegal immigrants cant get federal benefits.

What Does Education Equity Look Like Across the U.S.?

Map of the United States based on fairness ratio (The funding in the highest poverty schools divided by the funding in lowest poverty schools) map coms from is school funding fair they developed a fairness ration which is the highest poverty schools divided by the funding of the lower poverty schools. poor/rich. the darker the color the lower the ratio. Nevada and new Hampshire/vermont tend to be highest. The North Carolina then texas (Illinois new York main north dakota). some states go backwards poor get more funding per student, nex mex Oklahoma mass Montana Colorado there is a lot that do this.

What's so tough about the issue? High Costs Keep on Rising data from 2002 to 2013

Medical care costs are also increasing rapidly, making iteven more impossible to pay cash for necessary care with each passing year the price is high but it also keeps going up. Every estimates goes up about 1,000 a year. Its an every increasing rate articles from 2014 say that a lot Americans have unpaid medical bills because they cant pay. Medical bills cause the most bankruptcies

What's the issue? Cost!

Medical care in the U.S. is expensive and functions more as a "privilege" than as a "right" ◦ If you have (money, insurance), then you can get care ◦ If you do not have, then you hope for assistance from the government or someone else or go without What is an average actual cost for each of the following? ◦ Routine appointment with family doc: 150-175 and up ◦ Initial appointment with specialist: 300 to 500 ◦ CT Scan: 700- several thousands varies ◦ Name-brand prescription medication: expensive or reasonable 30 per pill or 20 per pill ◦ Delivery of a healthy baby: 20,000 and up ◦ Surgery & 3-day hospital stay: 30,000-40,000

What else should we know in particular?

Medical insurance only helps to pay some of a person's medical bills ◦ How much it helps and for how many conditions it pays depends on the cost of the insurance --- High-cost policies cover more --- Lower-cost (but still expensive!) policies cover less ◦ Individuals with insurance must still pay many costs These vary a lot between policies & between insurers Premiums - Cost of the plan, paid monthly, whether sick or not (core income to insurance company) Deductibles - The annual amount you must pay for medical care before your plan will pay anything Co-pays (flat) & Co-insurance (fixed percentage)- How much you must pay for each instance of medical care when that care is covered by your plan and your annual deductible has been paid. All costs for services that are not covered by their policy (i.e., "out of network" costs)

Correlations Between contemporary Spending Per Child in Average Daily Attendance and Educational Attainment

Money spent in the same year as grad rates were measured (contemporary) Not very predictive for High School completion! But very predictive for college, there is not a correlation for HS. This could be because of the measure. very weak or nonexistent. Is this measure of spending the best one? Why or why not? its not so much the money that you put into the school the year that people are graduating its the money that wen into those schools over a longer period of time

What's the issue? Who Pays & How they pay

Most individuals in the U.S. who receive medical care are held personally responsible to pay the actual cost for that care - this is the private care model ◦ Most Americans say they prefer this model, and do not want socialized medicine ◦ In the socialized care model, the government collects additional taxes, then provides medical care to citizens "for free," but also assumes a large role in determining what care to provide and when But there's a problem: Within our chosen model, most Americans cannot afford to pay the full cost of their healthcare ◦ Therefore, many pay separately for health insurance, which can drastically reduce the bills individual patients must pay ◦ However, the affordability of health insurance is not guaranteed!

Aren't Policy Decisions Data Driven?

Much data we would desire in this area, or in any of the other policy areas, are not available at state and local levels ◦ Sometimes can be found, but not in quantity or quality necessary for solid statistical analysis Data that we do have often show mixed results ◦ Makes it even harder to argue that correlation supports causation ◦ Allows either "side" to find support for their view point Remember this as you view the following correlation charts based on data collected across all 50 states

Does Welfare Reduce Poverty?

Nationwide Correlations Between Poverty and Public Assistance Spending Per Recipient (2014) Data regularly show a strong correlation, but politicians argue about causality when u correlate poverty and public assistance spending per recipient you get correlations medicaid spending per beneficiary is -.41, decrease in poverty rate (not strong) TANF (temp assistance to needy families) same but stronger neg correlation for ever dollar spent see a more significant reduction in poverty level -.63 SNAP benefit level -.07, food stamps, no correlation bc provide food u don't help them get out of poverty, necessity but not correlated to poverty directly CHIP spending per recipient -.14, medicaid insurance program very cheap for children no relationship because does not affects adult ability to get out of poverty there is purpose of these programs that is not just about poverty level

Why can't dreamers simply be citizens

Naturalization is how people become US citizens who did not automatically gain that status at birth To become naturalized: ◦ Must reside legally in the US --- People who want to immigrate wait 10+ years just to have decision made on their entry request --- Vast majority of immigration applications turned down ◦ Must meet other requirements: time in U.S., language proficiency, etc. Naturalization is not permitted for anyone who is present in the U.S. without permission (...unless they leave the country, apply to enter, wait many years, and are wealthy or highly skilled—IMHO: Never!)

Correlations of Societal Benefits & EducationalAttainment (2014)

Only correlations are below our three threshold many others indicate strong correlation Sometimes HS is stronger, sometimes College correlating high school graduation in 2014 vs different variables. Per capita income for high school graduates should be higher that non high school graduates, .43 so correlation but not strong as high school graduation goes up poverty goes down (-.8) life expectancy at birth .61. do same for college graduation you see there is rarely a level does not have any correlation.

What was the Poverty Rate for Brazos County in 2014?

Poverty rates are usually inflated in university towns. Why? Brazos county is in the highest poverty rate group of texas. Highest poverty is west campus of tamu. A lot of people dont make a lot of income because they are going to school which is not measured.

Should Texas Expand Medicaid?

Republicans dont want expansion but some groups are still lobbying for this

Some Recent History of Texas Education Funding

State of Texas was sued (again) in 2013 by over 400 "low and medium wealth" school districts (joined in class action suit in Harris county texas district court) ◦ Fort Bend ISD v. Texas Education Agency in Texas 200th Judicial District Court in Travis County ◦ Aug 2014 District Court decision: State's approach to funding its public schools is inequitable and therefore in violation of the state constitution (unconstitutional) ◦ May 2016 Texas Supreme Court decision: "Our Byzantine school funding 'system' is undeniably imperfect, with immense room for improvement. But it satisfies minimum constitutional requirements" (republican majority) (Justice Willet, majority opinion) --- Justice Guzman (concurring): "Good enough now ... does not mean that the system is good or that it will continue to be enough.... Shortfalls in both resources and performance persist in innumerable respects, and a perilously large number of students is in danger of falling further behind." not complete a republican vs democrat issue. Needs money and time to fix it.

Jobs, Wages, Education & Poverty

States often point to jobs & education as keys to reducing poverty: "Take responsibility. Get a job! Get a degree!" Not bad advice, but... What if even full-time employment doesn't pay enough or lead to advancement opportunities? And what if education does not provide guaranteed protection against poverty?

Demographers are also forewarning about the future state economy!

Steve Murdoch's newest book: Changing Texas ◦ Panelist in Demography & Healthcare extra-credit option ◦ Article about the book is source in Homework #12a We already have learned that Texas' population is increasingly more Hispanic and less white ◦ He points out that this is accelerating rapidly: Hispanics will account for 70% of increase over next 25 years, largely due to higher birthrate The problem is that Hispanic population is less wealthy and less educated than whites ◦ So as Texas grows it will also become poorer, less educated, and less prosperous unless we change our policies

What will happen now?

Summer of 2014 brought mixed signals ◦ Earliest 2-year DACA deferments began expiring DACA reapplication process announced by immigration authorities ◦ House of Representatives passed a bill to revoke the existing deferments granted under DACA, but bill was not taken up in Senate, so had no effect Republican Party now controls Executive Branch and both chambers of Congress ◦ Trump administration's policy was unclear (HW 12C) until Trump revoked DACA in Fall 2017, then delayed execution of that revocation until Mar 5th to give Congress time "to fix" ◦ Congress yet to act, but federal courts have "stayed" the deadline what is happening in texas

How Texas TANF Funds are Used

TANF is a federal block grant, permitting states wide latitude in how they use the funds ◦ Each state required to also "chip in" a required amount—for Texas that is around $400M (dedicated areas of revenue and spending) Texas uses TANF funds extensively to fund programs that improve welfare of children in poverty ◦ Early childhood, foster care, etc. Texas sharply minimizes cash assistance to adults (individualistic) ◦ Helps explain very tight restrictions and low benefits for Texans ◦ Reflects Texas' "pull yourselves up by your own bootstraps" approach (explains why maximum monthly income is low as well as maximum monthly TANF payment) Does it matter to you how "welfare" funds are spent in your state? Why?

...and this is where Texas spends the bulk of TANF funds 2016

Texas un red box, core spending is above red box. Red box is non core spending. We spend 40% of TANF money on pre-K, 30% on child welfare, 8% on other services. When you look at national averages ours is 6% for basic assistance while the national average is 24%. Work activities are about even. Work supports and supportive services are .4 in Texas and 3 in US. Child care is 0 compared to 17%. Administrative and systems is 6 to 10. Tax credits 0 to 9. Pre k 40 to 7. Child welfare 30 to 7. Other services 8 to 13. It looks like we have a better prep and child welfare program than other states but this is not the only source of funding states can use to pay for this. ...and on top of all of that The annual federal TANF block grant has been frozen since its creation and lost more than a third of its value between 1997 and 2016 due to inflation (has not been increased even for inflation, same dollar amount bus does not buy as much, this is a federal issue)

What else should be know in general?

The governing principal of private insurance is to make a profit for the company — their "caring" may be genuine, but has to also be a means to profit ◦ Insurance companies only make profit if "payouts" are be less than the "premiums" collected from everyone with policies ◦ To make these profits, insurance companies must balance four factors: --- How many policies are in force (how many people they sold to) --- How sick the people are with those policies --- How much they agree to pay to medical providers under agreements made (don't pay same rates we do, have special deal) --- How much they charge customers for new or renewed policies—these prices are set using complicated probabilities based on historical data of who gets sick and how sick they get ...these are always highly advantageous to the insurance companies

What's the Disconnect between Jobs & Poverty?

The overall economic health of Texas doesn't translate well into the economic well-being of a lot of its residents In 2014, Texas ranked #1 in economic recovery, but #37 in residents' overall financial security ◦ 49.8% of households were "Liquid asset poor" (money that you have that you can spend) --- Lack enough savings to pay for 3 months of basic expenses in case of crisis ◦ Nearly one-third of middle-class households ($54K-$91K annual income) were only one crisis away from poverty

Want to Learn More About Healthcare, Texas, and the ACA?

Topic of extra credit assignment: "Demography and Healthcare" ◦ Panel discussion between a Texas state legislator, county treasurer, former state demographer, healthcare philanthropist, and an academic Don't just listen to the politicians! Distortions are the rule on both sides.. Do some fact checking of your own

Why are they called dreamers

There once was a Congressional bill named the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (2011 2012) ◦ Was only considered by Congress, and never became law Would have removed the threat of deportation and created a path to citizenship for young undocumented aliens who met very specific criteria: ◦ Were brought to the US as minors ◦ Had lived in the US for at least 5 years ◦ Were under 30 years of age (as well as other requirements) Passage by Congress looked likely until the bill fell victim to presidential campaign politics in early 2012 (election year) ◦ Republican primary contenders labeled anyone who supported this bill as "willing to grant amnesty to law breakers!"

Every policy matters to someone...

This is a key learning objective in Chpt 12 ◦ Many should matter to some of us ◦ Some should matter to all of us Remember the effects of time from Chpt 1? ◦ What you don't know or care about NOW can cost you and your community dearly in the future We'll be talking about the "Big 4" policy areas: Poverty ,Healthcare, Education, Immigration ◦ ...but only a small slice within each area ◦ We'll draw on much of what we've learned thus far this semester

What's so tough about the issue? Insurance Doesn't Pay Everything

To stay healthy in America, medical insurance is a "must" With insurance, medical bills are still very hard to pay for an average middle- class family of 4 Without insurance, those same medical bills can consume 25-50% of that average middle- class family's income Even with insurance you need to pay a lot of other stuff. Chart says that overall for a family of 4 in 2013 the cost of medical care for the entire family for that entire year was on average about 22000. But 2/3 is payed by employer they pay majority of premium. employee contribution 5,500 how much family pays for premium in a year employee out of pocket is 3600 these are deductibles co pays co insurance 10,000 overall family contribution compare to attending an all state public school 22,000 (this is with insurance) without consumes 25-50% of income.

Legislature & Education Funding

Two camps formed, even before 2015 session began ◦ "Don't do anything—just let it play out in the courts" ◦ "Do something right for Texas school children this session" --- HB 1759 would have made multiple changes to how the State distributes its public education funds across districts --- Would have increased funding per student, but possibly also increased inequities between districts Some legislators will continue to fight to fix the problem they readily see—but will results ever change? 2017 Session ◦ Rep Aycock's bill (reference HW 12C) to revamp public education funding did not pass ◦ Different bill passed to increase public education funding --- Increase didn't cover inflation --- Increase didn't cover population increases ◦ Outcomes: --- More of funding burden shifted off to local school districts again --- Funding inequities remain the same

What's so tough about this issue? Fewer Jobs with Medical Benefits

U.S. employers, the #1 source of healthcare benefits, have tended to scale back the number of jobs they offered since 2001 that included a medical care plan ◦ They also are tending to pay less of the cost of those plans, shift more of the burden onto their employees So which jobs don't usually include medical benefits? • Part time positions • Contractor positions Then there are also full time positions that only offer very expensive medical benefits or poorquality plans • Businesses get to choose how much (or little) they will contribute to the insurance bills • By choosing poorer quality plans, they also lower their own costs

What's so tough about this issue? Fewer Jobs with Medical Benefits

U.S. employers, the #1 source of healthcare benefits, scaled back the number of jobs they offered between 2008 and 2012 that included a medical care plan between 2008-2012 the percent employer based went down from 49.2 to 44.5. This is the largest supplier of medical insurance but also aftermath of Great Recession of 2008. People lost jobs company did not pay medical benefits because part time. Number of people in government okays went up, uninsured was 10% that also went up

States with 100 percent graduation rates

US News & World Report's data- access full table using link above. Look at Texas Look at other big-population states and compare• Something doesn't seem right... you see some that like California 80 or 90 schools do this in Alaska whole bunch. Kansas 50. Hawaii 0. Delaware 0. Alabama 10 12. This could be caused by calculation or how they are doing it so look at texas. large pop approach large numbers. New York has few, Texas is exception has over 350 schools this questions the validity

It's a nationwide issue.... teachers around the country rect to investigation into ballot high school

Washington DC public school with 100% grad rate in 2017 schools have a lot of issues with students from graduating. Theres a lot of pressure to graduate that teachers are fabricating performance. They passed failing students. credit recovery and make up work. They were not allowed to fail anyone

Lots of Questions Remain...!

What does "equitable" funding for "excellent" education look like? ◦ What are the interests are both sides of the argument? ◦ How is Texas likely to continue to respond to this question? What is the best measure of educational attainment? ◦ Is the current HS grad rate reason for Texas to cheer or jeer? ◦ What could be alternative explanations for gaps between HS completion rates and college-readiness scores? How does school funding translate into school completion in Texas? Will boosting the former also boost the latter? Does this matter to you now? Will it matter to you in 15-20 years?When should it start mattering? Gather expert opinions on both sides. Ask hard questions. Listen critically to the answers. Repeat!

Educational Attainment and Infant Mortality Rate Correlations

What type of empirical relationships? correlation in every year for HS and almost every year for college except for first 4. Back then it was less normal to go to college. How strong? How vary across the years? Which achievement has the largest effect? Why?

Educational Attainment and Poverty Rate Correlations

What type of empirical relationships? negative How strong? strong How do they vary across the years? get stronger Which achievement has the largest effect? Why? high school (has larger effect weather you end up in poverty or not) correlating poverty rate. starting in 1970 (10 years then 9 then 2 or 1) see negative empirical relationships that is wrong. Seems to be getting stronger in hs and college but college goes up and down.

Texas Medicaid Caseload and Cost, Fiscal 2010

Which group of Texas residents are missing? Surprised? Which group is giving the state the "best deal?"Who is the most expensive? Remember % of children in poverty from Chpt 12A? look at first bar graph on left, see case load of people on ,medicare. 2/3 is non disabled children, 9% is pregnant women and 25% long term care old and disabled (very few parents) (poverty in children in texas is big) cost- 25% of caseload for long term is 58% of cost. 66% children but less than 1/3 fo costs and pregnant 10% of costs. Children is best deal because its investment will be more healthy adults.

Where does policy come from?

Which people? How? Why? starts with people that shape policy and come back to people people- elected officials, parties, interest groups, donors, public shape: legislating, lobbying, contracting, donating, vetoing, silence policy: budgets, laws, rules, court decisions, executive action, letting status quo stand

why privilege and non privilege matters

Which policy solutions we advocate swings largely on our awareness of who is not winning and an understanding of why this is so ◦ Who? Level 1: "Them" Level 2: "The (label #1), (label #2) and (label #3) that live ___________" Level 3: "The lady that took my fast food order, the men that mow at my apartment, the woman that cares for my grandfather" ◦ Why? Level 1: "...because there always are some" Level 2: "...because they are lazy" or "...they want to live off of others' successes" Level 3: "...because they just can't seem to get ahead due to the mismatch between the jobs they can get and the bills they have to pay" The level of perspective we have into who and why the non-winners are in that situation often d r i v e s our conclusions about what policy we support ◦ "Not-my-job" conclusion: Non-winners are largely irresponsible & unworthy... --- ...so assistance should be minimal --- ...whatever assistance is given should not be by the government, but by civic and religious groups ◦ "It-could-have-been-me" conclusion: Non-winners are oppressed in many ways, and they are good people... --- ...so they need a generous hand up .--- ..and the government should help create a wide pathway to a better future for them

...and what about that Individual Mandate?

Why do people have to pay a penalty if they don't have insurance? (everyone who didn't have health insurance needed to buy it if you don't buy it you need a penalty tax) (need to enlarge their pool for insurance to work, need all of these people to be paying premiums) Because... ◦ ...ACA was an insurance-based policy—not a "socialized medicine single-payer" model ◦ ...insurance only works when the insured pool includes lots of healthy people who pay premiums(paying in more than they withdraw in benefits!) ◦ ...in order to create a pool big enough to make this insurance-based solution work, Americans had to be "encouraged" to join through penalties if they didn't! No penalties, no sufficiently large pool, no solution!

Texas TANF single mother guide 2017

adults without children is not eligible to receive cash assistance to be eligible for TANF cash assistance, a texas families assets cannot exceed 1000 and its income must not be more than 12% of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of three with income of no more than 188 a month may receive up to 285 per mont in cash benefits.

The ACA way...

after Obamacare medicaid expands to 133% then ACA becomes available and picks it up after then at 400 you get employer

its not just texas Maximum TANF benefits leave families well below federal poverty level (FPL) (for family of three)

after they got max TANF benefit where does that leave them with respect to the federal poverty level? Texas- below 10% of the FPL along with all of south except for virginia light blue States like virginia and new Mexico 20-30 medium blue 30 to 40 and blue 40 t0 50

Before ACA...

before affordable care act medicaid was designed to help people at or below poverty line. If you were above then you were on your own. You got insurance from employer. Its also called Obamacare. Democrats had full say in senate and house, there were some republicans also put their input. Interest groups in hospitals also had a say. Not a full democratic convention.

TX Per Student Public Ed Funding United States Elementary-Secondary education spending per student (totals are inflation adjusted shown in 2016 dollars)

blue is texas and red is United States. from 2007 to 2016. See The difference year by year of the US average spending per student vs texas. United States revenue sources federal 8.1 state 47.7 local 44.5 on average other states pay for more than half or for more of the public education bill than the local governments do.

where poverty works and percent poverty work force 2012

chart in right is where poverty works: bars represent percent of total workers within each one of these sectors and within one of these sectors how many of the workers are actually below the poverty line. in 2012. IN food prep, 8.7% of workers work in food prep almost 3/4 are below the poverty level. Personal Care- 2.7% but 56.9% over 2/3 are below poverty, BLDG maintenance 3.3 but 53.7 below poverty level. Gettin g a job does not mean you will be above poverty level percent poverty level: over 1/3 have high school diploma, less than 20% have less than high school, 10% have associates degree, 1/4 has got some college, over 10% has a bachelor degree or higher,

What's so tough about this issue? Fewer Jobs with Medical Benefits

different types of health insurance from 2001-2017 private insurance went down by 10% uninsured has gone down because of affordable care act

HHS poverty guidelines for 2018

for a family of 3 in 2018 it was 20,780 so 21000 not in poverty, won't get help with food stamps and other benefits. It goes up with number of dependents in family.

Texas' poverty rate of 15.9% ranked it 39th the U.S. in 2014

heat map; texas poverty rate was 15.9% which ranked as 37th in the us. 15% was average we are in lower half. We are tan not as bad as pink but not that far away. Deep poverty is 6.6 (half of poverty level) 2 million people ar sin deep poverty child poverty 23% senior poverty rate 10.3 people with disability 20.5 women 17.3 men 14.4 2018 poverty y rate was 15.5% needs to be 2 to 3 times number because current system is bad

Texas ranked 51st in 2016 for spending on "core" TANF activities

how texas spends TANF money - we ranked last in the United States in 2016 for spending on the core TANF activities. Basic assistance (dollar amount), work activities, and child care. - in 2001 we spent 1/3 of money on basic assistance, 8% on work activities and 4% on child care. Basic assistance steeped downward until 2016 where it's only 6% in basic assistance, 10% on work activities and 0% on child care. - in 2016 for every 100 poor families with children in Texas only 4 received TANF cash assistance down from 24 in 2001. Now only 1/6.

dreamers in Arizona are no longer eligible for in state Turin court rules

in 2018 arizona removed eligibility

What is poverty & who are the impoverished?

influenced on personal experience or things that we see. This video helps us see that the groups of people we determine to be poor is different. Video made by progressive liberal. Lady didn't have money to fix gas pedal, they had crisis with their son. They work full time jobs and its not enough.

An endless cycle of policymaking

it goes round and round

Impact of Texas participation in Medicaid IF it had happened...

its not an even 100% FPL across the entire population. The texas picture, Newborn and parents make up to 185% or below of FPL covered by medicaid. Children 1-5 133% covered, 6-18 blue car 100% FPL, pregnant woman 185%, SSI aged disabled 133, parent w/TANF 15% of FPL, childless adults none, long term care 220%. if we had expanded medicaid in 2014 every category would have gone uo to at least 133% with the biggest benefit being childless adults parent W?TANF then SSI/disabled

What is policy?

policy: The positions and/or actions that result when government takes a formal position on a matter at hand, or when it declines to do so (not taking action is also policy, more decisions made like this) - Can be broad or specific - Can be any combination of principles, promises, and action - Can be consistent or inconsistent (both internally or with other policies) - Can serve a select few or many It is what governments always produce—sometimes by their silence or inaction

What Does Education Equity Look Like in Ohio? 2007 2009

poorer schools are being better funded than the richest. 3,000 dollars between every line 2000 dollar difference

Poverty by Race 1960-2014

poverty is not color blind: minorities have the highest numbers but whites are still represented, and increasingly so since 2000... dotted is African American has highest percentage, took a dip in 1990 and been struggling. Hispanic is in middle its dashed, same pattern not tracking until 1970. Straight is white and its around the same, 9/11 causes shock

students plead with hardliners to keep dream act (this is the texas law)

the reasons to repeal the act are bracketed as well as reasons to keep and partisanship playing out in procedures . UT and TAMU student interviewd in 2015 donna Campbell said she laid out senate bill 1819 which would shut down the program/. Said ins ate tuition at texas colleges and uni act as magnet for undocumented citizens -- reasons to repeal no evidence its a magnet, students in us for 3 years can pay in state, Campbells bill unfairly punishes hardworking kids and will have neg effects on economy, economic future depends on educating these kids reasons not to repeal Rodriguez who objected bull is heading heard in border security rather than higher education committee. Two members of subcommittee are harsh on boarder security. No evidence that dreamers are threat to boarder of texas said Rodriguez,

Post 2018 Election status of state medicaid expansion decisions

there were changes. A lot of states decide to participate wether its be cause state gov changed mind or people were able to vote on the ballot for it.

"Mind the Gap"-Another way that policy gets messy...

when suppress court said affordable care act is optional, no one adjusted the rest of the law this left a gap. Not eligible for affordable care act unless you are at 133 FPL or higher. There is a number of people who make too much for medicaid and too little for ACA. Because of bipartisan spirit is hard to fix Congress wrote ACA so that those at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level could not obtain subsidized insurance Instead, these Americans would be covered by expanded Medicaid When some states refused to expand Medicaid, this left millions of people without medical coverage ◦ Income was too high to qualify for Medicaid ◦ Income was too low to qualify for ACA subsidies

Jobs, Wages & Poverty

where poverty lives: based upon .percentages of all workers in that state, by amount of annual income blue 0-100 red 100 to 200: ...where "100%" = $23,000 ( 2012 federal poverty line for family of 4) and "200%" = $46,000 a whole 1/3 of residents in missisipy are below poverty, other is 43.3 make 46000. They may be worst off, Tennessee similar. Look at Arkansas. Texas is not as different as missisipi. AFL-CIO = Really BIG labor union They used this graphic to argue in favor of a federal increase to minimum wage; 3.6 million workers 4.7% of hourly workers are paid at or below the minimum wage b/c of tipped workers. 7.5% of Texans 2 million, are being paid at or below poverty level. Idaho and lisuania are similar. missisipi is ahead Note the ranking of Texas

What's so tough about this issue? Fewer Jobs with Medical Benefits

who pays for private healthcare insurance? bright green line in middle is self insured individuals (self employed) dark green employees pay entire premium highest line is percent paid by company other by employee

Center for Public Policy Priorities

◦ Non-partisan, non-profit liberal-leaning "think tank" ◦ http://forabettertexas.org/