Success In Montana

Montana kids in low-income families are faring better than standard statistics show, according to a new Annie E. Casey Foundation report that analyzes poverty rates through a new measuring tool from the U.S. Census Bureau. Perusing the report this morning, I see that 13% of our state's children live in poverty. There's been a "makeover" in how to measure poverty in the U.S. & it shows there's been great progress here in the Treasure State. In fact, there are 39,000 fewer children in poverty than previously thought. The "New Tool" from the Census Bureau takes into account the cost of living, & programs such as food stamps, housing assistance & the Earned Income Tax Credit. The standard poverty measure is nearly 50 years old & does NOT reflect assistance to families or modern-day expenses. The Casey Foundation estimates that child poverty costs the country 500 billion (with a "B") dollars a year in lost productivity & earnings, including costs related to health & crime. See the report, Measuring Access to Opportunity in the United States at: www.AECF.org. Myself? I don't worry about poverty all that much...I figure if I have enough change in my pocket for a beer & a burger for lunch, the ol' Puffman is doing all right!