Viewpoint

AI Could Be a Godsend for Accessing Public Benefits—Or a Nightmare

We stand on the verge of a technological transformation. We’ll need to work collectively to steer these advancements towards empowering those in need.

Jim Pugh

Viewpoint

The Hunger Cliff Shows That the GOP Is Pro-Poverty

Millions of people are losing essential food assistance because Republicans want to impose work requirements that benefit corporations—not families.

Jim Pugh

Viewpoint

To Win in the Midterms, Democrats Should Go All In on Reviving the Child Tax Credit

The expanded Child Tax Credit was the most impactful anti-poverty program in a generation. Democrats should campaign on bringing it back.

Jim Pugh

Viewpoint

Forcing People to Work So They Can Get a Child Tax Credit Is a Terrible Idea

Work requirements don’t actually increase employment or reduce poverty. But Republicans and conservative Democrats are pushing them anyway.

Jim Pugh

During the Pandemic, Poor Areas Have Had Twice the Death Rates of Rich Ones

A new report shows the U.S. response to the Covid pandemic has been defined by inequity—and poor and low-income communities are bearing the fatal cost.

Shailly Gupta Barnes and Jim Pugh

How Targeting Programs to Poor People Leaves Out Poor People

Some centrist Democrats are pushing to make the expanded Child Tax Credit means-tested. In practice, that often means restricting benefits for the very people who need it most.

Jim Pugh

Don't Just Send People Money During a Pandemic—Do It All the Time

The evidence is in: Sending out direct cash payments has been a full-blown success—and we can’t afford to stop.

Jim Pugh

Viewpoint

$2,000 Checks Now—And Make Them Monthly

The Democrats’ victory in Georgia was a vote for cash assistance. Prioritizing direct monthly payments isn’t just good policy—it’s good politics.

Sean Kline and Jim Pugh

Viewpoint

Give Every Child a $1,000 Trust Account and the Next Crisis Won’t Be So Bad

To weather the economic wreckage of the Covid-19 crisis—and prepare for future disasters—we should enact a Just Futures Fund.

Jim Pugh

Viewpoint

The Right Way to Give Everyone Cash in the Midst of the Coronavirus Crisis

For a cash payout plan to work it must be universal, long-lasting and supplemented with other social programs.

Jim Pugh

Feature

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Push for a Green New Deal Is Not Just Good Policy—It’s Political Genius

By taking the demand straight to the halls of power, Ocasio-Cortez is building support for a policy that could stave off climate change and transform the economy.

Jim Pugh

Labor

The Case for Giving Every American a Share of a Public Wealth Fund

Jim Pugh

Labor

The Food Stamp Work Requirement Is a Scheme to Punish Hungry Americans

Jim Pugh