Today's Big Idea To Get America Working: Invest In Public Education
By Jeff Bryant
I don't think anyone has ever even tried to make the argument that education and jobs are not in any way linked. But the economic argument for education is not well understood even by those -- politicians especially -- who are most apt to make the connection. So before we demand that political and civic leaders at all levels turn around our troubled economy by increasing investment in public education, we need to get the framing right.
You Can't Blame The Bad Economy On Education
A truly specious argument about education and its relationship to the economy is that economic failures are "caused" by inadequate public schools. Both conservatives and "liberals" are often guilty of making this charge.
Children Are Invisible Victims of California's Tanking Economy
By Ngoc Nguyen
The dual problems of housing instability and joblessness are negatively affecting the well-being of California’s children, according to a new report released Wednesday.
One million children in the state -- or 7 percent -- have been impacted by foreclosure since 2007, according to figures taken from the 2011 Kids Count Data Book, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Only three states have higher rates than California, including Nevada (13 percent), Florida (10 percent) and Arizona (8 percent). The figures exclude children living in rental units, whose families may have been affected.
The report also found that children in California are paying a price due to a grim job market. About 1.2 million children in the state now have at least one unemployed parent, and about one-third of all children statewide have no parent with a full time, year-round job.
Landmark Health Care Reform Legislation Introduced by Senate President Steinberg
By Marty Omoto
Potential sweeping landmark health care insurance reform legislation was introduced Tuesday by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg that would require health managed care plans and health insurance plans to provide as a covered benefit behavioral health treatment for persons with autism spectrum disorders. The legislation would take effect, if passed by the Legislature before it adjourns for the year on September 9th and signed by the Governor on or before October 9th, on January 1, 2012.
The bill, which Steinberg said he was committed to see passed before the Legislature adjourns for the year on September 9th, will likely meet fierce opposition from health managed care plans and strong support from advocates for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Health plans who have opposed previous efforts, have said that behavioral health treatments for persons with autism are more appropriately provided by school districts and other entities.