Friday, November 20, 2009
The number of Buchanan County residents living in poverty has risen by about 2,900 since the beginning of the decade, a federal report said Wednesday.
By percent, the increase roughly matches the state's over that period.
According to a report by the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates program, the county had 12,706 people living in poverty in 2008. That was up from 9,800 people in 2000.
The poverty rate of 15 percent climbed three percentage points during those years. Statewide, the poverty rate stood at 13.5 percent, up almost three percentage points for those years.
Buchanan County also had worse numbers than the state in poverty among people under age 18: locally, the percentage was 21.6, while Missouri was 18.9.
The report said median household income in Missouri was $46,847 last year. In Buchanan County, the income number was $42,269.
Numbers askew
The curiosities apparent in the reporting of jobs created by economic stimulus funding has a reach into Missouri.
In recent days, the accountability efforts put in place to track money spent through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have attracted criticism because of sloppy data entry that included, among other things, nonexistent congressional districts.
Even the Government Accountability Office issued a study Thursday saying, in generous language, that numbers in the recovery reporting "indicate the need for further data quality efforts."
With this as shaky context, the numbers indicate that the stimulus money created 493 jobs in Northwest Missouri's 6th Congressional District, with spending of $243 million.
These job creation figures pale, as do those of other Missouri congressional districts, with the 12,684 jobs created in the 4th District. Of course, the 4th District includes Jefferson City, through which most of the stimulus dollars funneled. The inflation in those parts further distorts the accountability efforts.
Credit
for teachers
Northwest Missouri Congressman Sam Graves has introduced a measure to extend and expand a tax credit for teachers who spend money to supply their classrooms.
Under current law, set to expire at the end of this year, full-time teachers get a $250 tax deduction if they personally pay for classroom supplies. With this bill, the deduction would grow to $500 for full-time teachers and $250 for those working part time. It would also extend the credit through 2017.
Mr. Graves, a Republican from Tarkio, is co-sponsoring the bill with fellow Missourian W. Lacy Clay, a St. Louis Democrat. The bill must clear the Ways and Means Committee before getting a vote by the full House.
No to bailouts
Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins made a bid Wednesday to end federal bailouts, but the attempt failed in committee.
Her amendment sought to prohibit taxpayer-funded rescues under the Financial Stability Improvement Act. It failed by a party-line vote of 40 to 27 in a meeting of the House Financial Services Committee.
The freshman Republican represents Northeast Kansas.
"Kansans did not cause the meltdown of the financial industry in our nation," Ms. Jenkins said, "and it's time for Washington to stop forcing Kansans and taxpayers from around the nation to bail out these firms."
Ken Newton can be reached
at kenn@npgco.com.
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Steve_O says...
You See, the School Tax WILL hurt Some,,, although Not ME !
November 20, 2009 at 5:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
Interesting set of numbers:
Median household income in Buchanan County last year was $42,269.
"...the numbers indicate that the stimulus money created 493 jobs in Northwest Missouri's 6th Congressional District, with spending of $243 million."
That's $492,900 for every job created, more than eleven times the county's median household income.
Did you get one of those jobs? Do you know anybody that did?
In 2010 and especially 2012 there will be HOPE for a CHANGE.
November 20, 2009 at 5:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
The stimulus what a joke with it creating Jobs.Look it created less then 500 in our part of the state and over 12,000 toward the capital of Missouri.What the Heck is up with that?This has been a hugh waste of money and has done nothing to help this economy or create jobs.Heck the general public could have spent this money wiser then the goverment did and have created jobs at the same time.It is called supply and demand if people have money they will spend money and if people are buying people are going to work to make the goods and services.Would this solve all of the mess our economy is in no but it would have put the family guy back to work not a bunch of politicians buddies like it seems it has.And just like they said would not happen they cannot even track where the money has went.Talk about being screwed up.It's going to get worse I believe a lot worse just look around.Now we have service business sector closing businesses because they cannot survive in this economy because people cannot afford their services.One hell of a mess.People better know how to survive.
November 20, 2009 at 5:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
Gee, who said that we were going to see empty commercial real estate over a year ago?
Who's going to take that commercial real estate? No one. There is no one to take it.
The only thing that has surprised me about this whole mess is that crime hasn't increased more rapidly. No doubt it will, I just thought it would happen sooner.
I hope everyone is doing everything they can to prepare themselves, though it doesn't appear to be the case.
Most people are confident this thing will blow over. That is not the case. Most every one of my comments about this a year ago could be read like an almanac against current headlines. And it has nothing to do with "seeing the future." More like "seeing the big picture."
Something most folks can't grasp.
November 20, 2009 at 6:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
usedtobe says...
My humble opinion is that we can use our energies to blame and cast stones. Or maybe we need to ask what can we, the whole community do to better prepare all people for success in the work arena that is and is coming???
November 20, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
Does anybody know if the Chamber of Commerce, when it tries to lure new industry into St. Joseph, STILL cite a low tax base and low tax structure as one of the selling points of this fair city? It used to. In another part of the paper was an article on Boehringer expansion. I think that was wonderful, but I noticed that article shared space with the closing of the Palma Restaurant. Sorry, but most days, the news has been more about restaurant closings in St. Joseph than about legitimate industry. Also remember, a not for profit hospital and a state government entity, the school district are the numbers 1 and 3 employers in this city. Maybe the Chamber should look at quality of life issues for employees, not always looking for a minimum wage chain restaurant to open.
November 20, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
donaldo says...
toot toot, it is wonderful when you can toot your own horn. it is a bigger trick to get someone else to toot it for you. the recession is following its corse. it Inst easy at times, it finds a way to weed out the survivors and keep the strong in place. this will all blow over, regardless of what one might think.i know it is hard for lots of people that have lost their jobs. i might be next, who knows. i am sure palmas employees didn't see it coming. i agree, we do need big corp. business to start up in this area to employ the unemployed. i don't agree with bailout money either. we need the recession to run its course and hopefully it will all get better.this is my take on the situation, no one has to agree with it, it is mine alone.if you have other ideas on the matter, great to see you are thinking.
November 20, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryAllison says...
LoD,
Somehow the USA managed to squeak through the "Summer of Rage Tour 2009" without the necessity of activating the camps. Never you mind though, the Shadow Government has got you tagged and bagged and your reservation is confirmed courtesy FEMA.
November 20, 2009 at 9:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )