Family Income Going Down, Taxes Only Going Up

[XLFD]

A new report out of Lansing by Kids Count shows a dramatic increase in Mason County of the number of children living in poverty since 2005.  Forty-three percent more kids live in a household that qualifies for federal food assistance now than just eight years ago in Mason County, with 41.1% now eligible, compared with a state average of 37%.  The jump in the poverty rate among children was also at 43% in Mason County. 

Michigan rates weren't much better, but Mason County was definitely in the have-nots of counties finishing 61st of 83 in poverty rates, and 52nd in child abuse/neglect investigations with about 1 in 8 living in homes were abuse or neglect is investigated, compared to the state average of about 1 in 11. 

Meanwhile, in City of Ludington news, the City's sewer and water rates increase without a vote once again at the end of the year, DDA Tax-Increment Financing and DDA taxes amount to about $150,000 of subsidies to the downtown area, one more water tank is painted long before it needs to be (putting the grand total up to $1.5 million for the City's unnecessary water projects over the last four years), fanciful west end of Ludington projects are contemplated that will cost up to $3 million of mostly local tax money in the coming years, more static local businesses get tax abatements, a beach bathhouse not worth $100,000 gets $100,000 in bathroom upgrades, onerous surcharges are being contemplated on all homeowners due to state mandated upgrades needed for overdue wastewater treatment projects, all City employees get a raise, and one more year goes by where tax or fee relief to the residents and property owners are not even considered. 

The City doubles the property taxes in three years (during a time when a house across the street goes down in taxes by 40%, as often happens during recessions) of a property (808 E Danaher) they say is 'an eyesore', purchases the property thereafter from the county for the owed back taxes, then promptly uses tax money to tear the house down-- all without a stated and mandated public purpose for buying  the lot. They deal one of the lots the house sat on to a private individual, for a pittance of its worth. 

The state government report on page two offers ways to curb the trends in child poverty and the neglect that comes with it, all are state government solutions.  Maybe the problem lies more within the solutions.  The people are giving their money to the state, county, and municipalities at ever increasing rates, and while some of the money go to public services, more and more get wasted on subsidies for favored businesses, unnecessary projects, and raises and platinum benefits for public officials. 

As the "State" or "City" gets more and more of your property and infringe further on your rights, the only outcome can be more individual poverty and the social ills that come with poverty and feelings of hopelessness suffered by individuals under the thumb of our various government units thirsty for more and more of your lifeblood and essence.   This trend cannot continue indefinitely.

Here is the report:

Family income erodes, child abuse and neglect rises
Kids Count report seeks to improve Michigan child well-being

LANSING, Mich. – More Mason County kids are growing up in families struggling to
make ends meet, according to the 2013 Kids Count in Michigan report, which
offers clear steps to a brighter future for those children.
Statewide, the most dramatic change in the report was a 53 percent increase in the
rate of young children who qualified for federal food assistance between 2005 and
2012. More than one in every three qualified for nutritional help because their
families were living on incomes under 130 percent of poverty (about $31,000 a
year or less for a two-parent, two-child family).
Mason County ranked No. 61 of 83 counties (No. 1 has the best, or lowest, rate)
with 41.1 percent of young children (ages 0-5) eligible for food assistance,
compared with 37 percent statewide.
“Though the recession officially ended years ago, the toll on children is still apparent
with the persistently high number of children living in need. It’s especially
troubling that young children are growing up in poverty because research shows a
deeper lifelong impact of deprivation during early childhood,’’ said Jane Zehnder-
Merrell, Kids Count in Michigan director at the Michigan League for Public Policy.

There were 26.7 percent of children living in poverty in Mason County in 2011, a
jump of 43 percent since 2005. Statewide, the child poverty rate increased 34
percent in that time period. Nearly 560,000 children, about one in every four in
Michigan, lived in poverty in 2011.
The Kids Count report also found a big increase – 41 percent – statewide in the
number of children living in families investigated for abuse and neglect between
2005 and 2012. A total of nearly 207,000 children – the highest number in 22
years – were living in investigated families in 2012.
Mason County ranked No. 52 with 125.6 children per 1,000 living in homes
investigated for abuse or neglect compared with the statewide average of 90
children per 1,000.

Other nearby counties stats: 

Poverty rates: 

Lake County:  56.2 eligible for food stamps (82 of 83)

Manistee:  40.7 eligible (60 of 83)

Oceana:  47.3 eligible (74 of 83)                   

Abuse rates: 

Lake County: over 1 of 4 kids live in a household investigated for abuse/neglect (83)

Manistee:  about 1 of 9 kids investigated (40 of 83)

Oceana:  about 1 of 9 kids investigated (36 of 83)

[XLFD]

Good question.  There probably is, with combinations of low-end and part-time employees with larger families bringing home one paycheck.  Also let me qualify that 'all' as being salaried full-time positions.  In my reckoning this costs the City just under $100,000 each successive year in wages and additional costs for benefits.  Let's not forget, the employees also get effectively extra money for being opted out of the State's health care reform plan, voted by the council.

[Willy]

I think much of the claims made by the Government about how many people really live in poverty here in the U.S. is hype. There are more people receiving assistance because the Government has lowered the standards to qualify for poverty status. I know many people receiving  assistance who, in my opinion, should not be receiving it. They use the assistance for things other than necessities. There is a monstrous abuse of the welfare system which is condoned by the Government. They want as many people as possible to be obligated to them so those on assistance will cast their votes for those they consider their benefactors. The American taxpayers is being taken for a ride.

[Lisa Zwerk]

No jobs. Very few good paying jobs in the Mason County Area. Cost of living, high because of the lake and the tourism drawn in.. little wages. Poverty breeds crime. It all goes hand in hand. 

[XLFD]

The cost of living in Ludington and Mason County are actually on the low side of average, but the lower than average household income negates that stat's relevance except for bringing more tourists in to take advantage of reasonable prices, and increases our crime, as you say.  Thanks for your input, Lisa.