New Census Data Confirms Delaware's Economy Isn't Working
Another Year of Shortsighted and Counterproductive Cuts Will Make It Worse
Newark, DE– Three years after the recession ended, the economy still isn’t working for most people, around the nation or here at home in Delaware. New Census Bureau date shows that nearly 1 in 8 people in Delaware are living in poverty -- a big increase from 2008 when only 1 in 10 were poor. The income of the top 1 percent grew by 31.4% over the last 3 years, while the incomes for 99 percent of American’s grew only by 0.4%.
Congress must choose to make investments, instead of further slashing human needs programs and prioritizing multi-national corporate interests.
“Congress has choices to make about our country’s priorities,” said Ezra Temko, Delaware organizer for Americans for Democratic Action. “Cuts to programs like SNAP are dangerous for Delaware residents and our fragile economy. They are unnecessary for deficit reduction and just bad policy. It’s time for Congress to stop the sequester cuts and make choices that invest in our communities.”
While the recession officially ended in June of 2009, the economy still is deeply troubled. Poverty is higher today than it was in 2008, the first full year of the recession, according to a new report by Delaware ADA and the Coalition on Human Needs. New Census Data Confirms Delaware’s Economy Isn’t Working documents how poverty impacted people in Delaware and what policy choices could reduce poverty rates in future years. Produced by the Delaware group, the brief report also provides examples of how across-the-board sequestration cuts are already threatening individuals, families and the fragile economic recovery.
Households in Poverty: Almost 1 in 8 people in Delaware are living in poverty -- a big increase from 2008 when only 1 in 10 were poor. The number of those living in near-poverty also has grown; today nearly one-third of Delawareans live under twice the poverty income level (below $36,568 for a three-person family).
Kids: In Delaware, one out of three Hispanic children and one out of four Black children are growing up in poverty.
Unemployment: Today, more than four years after the recession officially ended, unemployment stands at 7.3% in Delaware. One out of seven Delawareans are unemployed or underemployed—that includes those who can’t find enough hours of work and those who have given up looking for work.
Food Insecurity: Here in Delaware over the past three years, more than one in nine were food insecure.
Housing: The Census data released Thursday shows that 43.1% of renters pay more than 35 percent of their income in rent, the official definition of families overburdened by rent costs. Today, 39% of households are overburdened by rent costs.
More from Ezra ~
Tuesday, September 24, 7pm: Data Center & Power Plant Town Hall, Newark
Wednesday, September 25, 7pm: Del. ADA Chapter Meeting, Newark
Wednesday, October 9, 7pm: Sister PreJean Repeal event, Bear
Thursday, October 3, 6:30pm: Gov. Markell Town Hall, Lewes
Thursday, October 10, 6:30pm: Gov. Markell Town Hall, Wilmington
Business Leaders for Tax FairnessCorporate tax dodging puts small businesses at a disadvantage since they pay their taxes and don't hire accountants to move their profits overseas. We are finalizing a sign-on letter from small business leaders to Delaware's Congressional delegation calling for an end to corporate tax dodging through the use of offshore tax havens. If you know of any small business owners or leaders who may be interested in signing this letter in favor of creating a level playing field, please put them in touch with me. Folks have until the end of the month to sign on. The text of the letter is available here.
Fast Food Worker StrikeDelaware ADA was proud to be the community partner in Delaware to support fast food workers who went on strike to demand fair wages and a union. Workers from five fast food restaurants in northern New Castle County joined workers from 60 cities across the country to strike and demand they get paid closer to a living wage.
Newark Town Hall regarding Data Center & Power Plant proposal7pm, Tuesday, September 24Newark High School, 750 E Delaware Ave, Newark, DE 19711Share your thoughts and concerns and learn more about the proposed project at the UD STAR Campus with State Representatives Paul Baumbach (23) and John Kowalko (25). You can watch a video of the September 3 meeting hosted by The Data Centers, LLC and the City of Newark by clicking here.
Chapter Meeting7pm, Wednesday, September 25Newark Free Library, 750 Library Ave, Newark, DE 19711
Our chapter meetings are at 7pm on the Fourth Wednesdays of every month.Our next one is this Wednesday, September 25, from 7pm-8pm at the Newark Free Library.Afterwards those interested are welcome to join us at Home Grown on Main St.I hope to see you there!At this meeting, we will have elections and discuss next steps for our chapter.We will also have a guest speaker from the Wilmington-based Coalition to Dismantle the New Jim Crow. Are you familiar with the New Jim Crow? You can check out a short video of Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow, on The Colbert Report by clicking here.
Sister Helen Prejean: Delaware Repeal7pm, Wednesday, October 9St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 345 Bear-Christiana Rd., Bear, DE 19701
Delaware ADA is a member of the Delaware Repeal Project working to repeal the death penalty in Delaware. Delaware Repeal is having an event on October 9 with Sister Helen Prejean. Attend if you are able. More information is available here!
Sister Helen Prejean is author of the book "Dead Man Walking." If you want to see the movie prior to hearing from Sister Helen Prejean, there is going to be a film screening at 6pm on October 1 at Theater N, hosted by Sister Helen Prejean is author of the book "Dead Man Walking." If you want to see the movie prior to hearing from Sister Helen Prejean, there is going to be a film screening at 6pm on October 1 at Theater N, hosted by Delaware Center For Justice and Pacem in Terris.Governor Markell's Town Hall Meetings6:30pm, Thursday, October 3Sussex County: Cape Henlopen H.S.1250 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958
6:30pm, Thursday, October 10New Castle County: Delcastle Technical H.S., 1417 Newport Rd, Wilmington, DE 19804
Go hear from Governor Markell and ask him pointed questions about social and economic justice initiatives. There are many issues to make sure the governor hears about: making our income tax more progressive, Ban the Box, raising our minimum wage, raising all state employee wages above the poverty level, etc. This is a great opportunity to make your voice heard!
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