As Pennsylvania families continue to struggle with the results of the recession, elected officials at the federal, state and local levels are considering budget proposals that will not only determine what help will be available to families, but also set the tone for the next several years as Pennsylvanians anxiously await broader economic recovery in their communities.
As these political budget battles unfold, poverty is the powerful force too often left out of the discussion. Being poor is intertwined with several other negative issues: job loss, inadequate access to physical and mental health care, insufficient wages, lack of education and job skills, addictions, underemployment, teen pregnancy and more. Poverty can result from and fuel these issues.