10 Highlights from Louisiana’s 2022 Legislative Session
In the public policy arena, progress is often incremental and takes years of persistent effort. But the pay-off – systems-level positive change – makes the case for advocacy crystal clear.
Income
Williamson’s Notes: Still on the Move
In the wake of Ida’s devastation, our United Way of Southeast Louisiana team laced up their shoes, donned their best LIVE UNITED shirts (or perhaps cleanest), and provided critical boots-on-the-ground relief to many of the hardest-hit areas we serve. As quickly as we received monetary and supply donations, we’ve worked at the speed of need to move them back out into the communities to aid struggling families and nonprofit partners.
Williamson’s Note: Let’s All Agree on Equity
6.4.21
Following the death of George Floyd a little more than a year ago, I reflected on his senseless murder. I also acknowledged the privileges I have been afforded. Not as an admonition of guilt or to suggest I haven’t worked hard, but simply a recognition that access and opportunity are not afforded to all people equitably.
Williamson’s Notes: Creating More Second Chances
4.7.2021
April is Second Chance Month
Josh* found himself in prison yet again, falling back into the same cycle of substance abuse coupled with poor decision making. He knew he wanted to break the cycle for good, but he was always met with the same challenges once released.
Unprecedented: 2020 Louisiana Legislative Session Wrap-Up
7/16/2020
“Unprecedented” is one of 2020’s buzzwords and a fitting description for the 2020 Louisiana Legislative Session. In all my years of experience, I’ve never experienced anything quite like the roller coaster of this year’s sessions – and there’s still likely more to come.
Williamson’s Notes: United for Justice
On Memorial Day, I shared a hope publicly that we could honor the fallen by ensuring we strive to be one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. That night, George Floyd’s senseless death provided yet another stark reminder that we, as a people, are not doing enough to promise the most basic of freedoms and equal access to justice to everyone. Especially people of color.
Williamson’s Notes: Threatening the Most Vulnerable Among Us
The Office of Management and Budget issued a notice requesting public comments on a recommended change to update the federal poverty line for inflation as indicated by various consumer price indexes (CPI). The comment period closed on Friday, June 21, with little public awareness.
Data Dive: Takeaways from the 2018 ALICE Report
Vanessa Greenslade, PhD, is United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s resident research and data expert. Vanessa works with our Community Impact team to bring a data-driven approach to our fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person.
The updated United Way ALICE Report for Louisiana, released earlier this month, shows nearly 1 in 2 Southeast Louisiana (SELA) households (47 percent) struggled to make ends meet in 2016.
ALICE Report update: Nearly half of Louisiana households struggle to make ends meet and 47 percent in Southeast Louisiana
Updated ALICE Report details size and scope of financial hardship across Louisiana
Categories
Williamson’s Notes: Consequences of ALICE
The United Way ALICE Project, a groundbreaking study on financial hardship, revealed in 2016 that more than 50 million U.S. households struggle to afford necessities like health care, housing, food, child care, transportation, taxes, and a smart phone.
ALICE – Asset, Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – is a term for households who earn above the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to cover a basic household survival budget.