State poverty drops in recession, study finds, By Meg Jones, April 25, 2012, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Poverty in Wisconsin actually dropped during the recession and its aftermath, surprising University of Wisconsin researchers who credit safety net programs such as food stamps and tax credits. From 2009 to 2010, state poverty dropped from 11.1% to 10.3%, according to a study by the Wisconsin Poverty Project that will be released Wednesday. The statistics compiled by the Institute for Research on Poverty differ from U.S. census figures, which show poverty increased in Wisconsin during that time. However, the official poverty measure only considers pretax cash income, and Wisconsin Poverty Project researchers included other means used by federal and local governments to stimulate the economy…”
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty