A new effort by New York City to fight poverty couples local policy changes with a national legislative agenda. The city will offer cash rewards for families who make strides to better themselves, such as staying in school or keeping doctor’s appointments. The city may also develop a more accurate measure of poverty than the federally defined poverty line and offer a tax credit of up to $1,000 to help families pay for child care. The city plans to raise private funds for the cash rewards program during a two-year trial period, rather than commit public dollars to an untested approach. Meanwhile, the city says it will lobby on Capitol Hill to alter some federal policies it says hurt working people, such as cutting people’s welfare benefits when they earn more income. But it’s unclear how aggressive the city will be with legislators. (City Limits, 9/25)
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