Groups in Missouri are urging Congress to pass a full-year, fully funded appropriations bill, instead of a parade of stopgap continuing resolutions to fund support programs for low-income and working people across the state. Between 2010 and 2021, many programs serving low-income people nationwide lost ground taking inflation into account, according to the Coalition on Human Needs. Jill Gaikowski, executive director of the Happy Bottoms diaper bank in Kansas City, said many low-income families struggle to pay for diapers. .
Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering Gov. Tom Wolf s final budget proposal, which includes raising the minimum wage to $12 an hour by July. Child behavioral health agencies warn that increasing wages without more funding could affect the quality of care. .
A bill moving through the West Virginia Legislature would cut unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 12. Lawmakers cite cost and the need to push people back into the workforce. Critics say Senate Bill 2 does not tackle obstacles preventing people from finding employment or staying employed. .