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Growing number of working households put 50% of their income into housing

February 24, 2012No Comments
Growing number of working households put 50% of their income into housing

Despite a variety of programs designed to reduce the cost burden on homeowners in the wake of the financial crisis, a new study from the Center for Housing Policy confirms that many working households are paying half or more of their income into housing costs. CivSource spoke with Laura Williams, research associate with the Center [...]

Wisconsin recall moves forward at high cost and with high controversy

January 31, 201211 Comments
Wisconsin recall moves forward at high cost and with high controversy

The recall action against Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin is going forward but at a significant cost to local municipalities and with a significant fight over the privacy of residents that signed recall petitions. Cash strapped municipalities are facing thousands in additional costs that will result from a special election. Citizens and privacy advocates are [...]

Some states leveraging SOA to streamline benefits systems

November 30, 2011175 Comments
Some states leveraging SOA to streamline benefits systems

Lower revenues and budget cuts continue to dominate the agendas of state governments. Yet, demand for human services such as unemployment insurance and welfare benefits have seen a dramatic increase as people find themselves struggling and out of work. In this environment, many states are looking for ways to streamline their benefits systems to cut [...]

Six states start federal housing pilot

November 7, 2011267 Comments
Six states start federal housing pilot

Six states have worked out an understanding with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to reduce duplicate inspections of affordable housing units. The states hope that by cutting back on repetitive housing inspections, those resources can go to providing more affordable housing. The agreement it part of the Obama Administration’s goal of [...]

Topeka, KS decriminalizes domestic violence

October 12, 2011235 Comments
Topeka, KS decriminalizes domestic violence

Last night, the Topeka, Kansas city council took an extraordinary step to manage budget cuts — decriminalizing domestic violence. The move was spurred by a lack of prosecutorial budgets at all levels of the city and county court system, a problem which came to its tipping point last night.

Michigan tightens limits on welfare

September 7, 2011194 Comments
Michigan tightens limits on welfare

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a tighter limit on how long residents can draw welfare benefits into law yesterday. The bill signed yesterday places a strict 48 month lifetime limit on welfare cash assistance. Another bill moving through the state legislature would further limit where and when people can use that cash assistance – prohibiting [...]

With elections looming, governors must understand challenges

October 27, 2010136 Comments
With elections looming, governors must understand challenges

We are now but a few weeks away from the November elections. From a state perspective, the 2010 election represents perhaps the most daunting level of leadership changes ever experienced at one time. This creates significant opportunities, but also some risks and uncertainties. As has been widely reported, there are an unprecedented 37 contested governors [...]

New York invests $28 million in affordable housing

September 20, 2010408 Comments
New York invests $28 million in affordable housing

New York is giving $28 million in funding awards to not-for-profit housing agencies in the state. The funds will go towards building, renovating or modifying 1,472 homes for low-income families, the disabled or the elderly. In addition to that 120 units will be made available to provide home ownership opportunities for veterans, homeless and first [...]

Colorado seeks info on new child enforcement training system

August 11, 201052 Comments
Colorado seeks info on new child enforcement training system

The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), Division of Child Support Enforcement (CSE) is looking for a way to monitor and track an online training system for county and state CSE staff. The RFI is seeking information on software programs that can automate administrative, registration, tracking and notification tasks associated to CSE training.

US Labor Dept. releases funds to improve state unemployment IT systems

August 9, 2010196 Comments
US Labor Dept. releases funds to improve state unemployment IT systems

Last week, the US Labor Department announced $9.6 million to improve unemployment insurance information technology systems. According to the Labor Dept., the money is designed to help states solidify IT security and contingency plans for their unemployment insurance (UI) systems.

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