Employment and Barriers to Independence
Poverty and Economic
Well Being
Archive - Poverty and Economic Well-Being
The State of Working Maryland: The Gap Widens between Top Earners and Everyone Else. In conjunction with the Economic Policy Institute, the Institute has prepared, for the first time, The State of Working Maryland. The intent of this report is to create a realistic picture of the hurdles faced by working
families in Maryland. 11/03/2006
The Great Divide: Poverty & Prosperity in Maryland is a PDF of a presentation by the Institute's Associate Director, Joanna Shoffner, on poverty data released by the Census Bureau. It highlights work and wage trends in Maryland and examines poverty, income, and health insurance data. Of note are the wide disparities in income across geographic areas in the state. If you are interested in accessing these data, email Joanna Shoffner for access to the data in another format. 09/15/2006
Despite Four Years of Economic Recovery, Poverty In Maryland Increases. This press release highlights Maryland poverty data released by the Census Bureau. 09/07/2006
- In the Community: View a slide presentation that highlights work and wage trends in Maryland and examines the new poverty, income, and health insurance data. 09/15/2006
- In the News: Listen to Gloria Minot interview the Institute's Associate Director, Joanna Shoffner about the new Census data and what it means for working families in Maryland. 09/15/2006
Maryland Incomes: Spread the Gain. The gap between Maryland's wealthiest families and its poorest families continues to widen. This paper, written by the Institute's new Director, Stephen G. Elmore, summarizes differences in growth rates among Maryland families’ incomes. It also offers steps that Maryland has taken and could take to help low- and moderate-income people benefit more from the state’s economic growth. 02/03/2006
Raising the Minimum Wage Several bills would raise Maryland's minimum wage. How does the current $5.15 an hour stack up against the value of the minimum wage over time? Who would benefit? Would it hurt employment, business formation and profits? 02/13/2005
Frequently Asked Questions About Poverty in Maryland. How many are poor in each Maryland county? What is a poverty level income? Updated with the 2004 Poverty Guidelines. How do low-income families make ends meet? 05/18/2004
Frequently Asked Questions About Poverty in Maryland. How many are poor in each Maryland county? What is a poverty level income? Updated with the 2002 Poverty Guidelines. Updated April 2003
Using Financial Incentives to Encourage the Payment of Child Support March 2002
A New Approach to Child Support: Improving Child Well-Being by Focusing on Noncustodial Parents March 2002
Where Have All the Food Stamps Gone? January 2002.
How Well Are We Faring? Prosperity, Poverty, and the Impact of Policy Choices in Maryland Updated January 2001
Working but Poor in Maryland. February 2000.
Community Policing: What Works? January 2000.
Does Work Pay? The Gains from Work in Maryland's Temporary Cash Assistance Program. Summary and update, August 1999.
Does Work Pay? The Gains from Work in Maryland's Temporary Cash Assistance Program. February 1999 (pdf document; requires Adobe Acrobat)
Opportunities for Investing in Maryland's Low-Income Families. Testimony August 1999.
Op-Ed: Duncan's Plan Is a Strong Step to Help Low-Wage Earners July 1999
Op-Ed: Skimping on the Poor March 1999.
TCA and Welfare
Maryland Adjusts its TANF Program to Meet New Stringent Federal Rules. Changes in federal law require Maryland to make major changes in the way it assists impoverished families with children. Click the link above for updated information on how the state plans to proceed in its efforts to comply with the Deficit Reduction Act and the subsequent regulations. 10/03/2006
New TANF Policy Changes: A collection of information, data, and impacts of pending changes
The “Whys” of Maryland’s TANF Program: State Spending on Cash Assistance and Child Care Services Decline. October 2005
Can Welfare Reform Work for Maryland? How Federal Proposals Impact Maryland May 2002
Testimony on Welfare Reform by Steve Bartolomei-Hill at a field hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives' Ways & Means Committee. February 14, 2000.
Investing in Families: Opportunities for Using Maryland's Welfare Surplus. January 2000.
Welfare Reform After Three Years: Progress, Prospects, and Problems. November 1999
Does Work Pay? The Gains from Work in Maryland's Temporary Cash Assistance Program. Summary and update, August 1999.
Does Work Pay? The Gains from Work in Maryland's Temporary Cash Assistance Program. February 1999