MassBudget: Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity

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Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward for the Children and Families of Massachusetts While effective public policy removes obstacles along the road to opportunity, good jobs play a central role in paving that road. Economic policies, since the 1970s, have allowed wages to stagnate for most workers. Important work support programs, and other essential benefits that allow children and families to thrive, are also at risk. In the updated Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity report, we highlight data that documents how opportunity is not equitable across the Commonwealth.   http://massbudget.org/reports/pdf/Obstacles%20on%20the%20Road%20to%20Opportunity%201.2.2020.pdf This report includes data about Massachusetts and local communities, such as: In Springfield, nearly 71 percent of children are from families making less than $52,000 a year; Statewide, 23 percent of renters pay half of their incomes or more on rent each month; About 90,000 children live in high-poverty neighborhoods, in which 30% or more of the residents have incomes below $25,750; Approximately 1.1 million people benefited from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), including about 580,000 children; and, Incomes for most have been flat. However, even when adjusted for inflation, incomes for the top 1 percent have more than quadrupled, from about $430,000 between 1978-1980 to over $1.8 million in 2013-2015. MassBudget thanks the Mass. Association for Community Action (MASSCAP  https://www.masscap.org/) for their support of this research on poverty, and their work in calling on national, state and local stakeholders to act to eliminate opportunity gaps for families and children across the country.  Interested in learning more of the key takeaways and data about your community? Read the data-packed full Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity report here http://massbudget.org/reports/pdf/Obstacles%20on%20the%20Road%20to%20Opportunity%201.2.2020.pdf The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 1 STATE STREET, SUITE 1250 BOSTON, MA 02109

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