(Student’s Full Name)
Introduction
According to the Associated Press, there were more poor people residing in the state of Washington in 2013 compared to the previous year. This was the case despite the poverty levels remaining steady “across the nation” (Le par. 1). In addition, the United Way has recently revealed in a “comprehensive report” that “1 in 3” Washington households “struggle financially” (Hobbs pars. 1, 22). The experts have arrived at their own conclusions as to why that it is currently the case in the state. However, even though the cause of poverty in Washington State has been determined, there has been little to implement initiatives that would ensure the eradication of poverty in the state. Therefore, it can be argued that although poverty levels and income inequality have increased in recent years, poverty can still be eradicated in the state of Washington if specific strategies are adhered to. This is because the state’s government needs to invest in policies that will support families in Washington and wages need to be raised and the rich need to be able to pay their fair share of taxes.
Major Viewpoints of the Issue
Findings in the U.S. Census Bureau Data released in September 2014 reveals that “14.1 per cent of Washington residents” were “living in poverty” in 2013 (Romich par. 2). This figure increased from “13.5 percent” in 2012 (Romich par. 2). It was during this period that Washington was one of three states that “saw significant increases in their poverty rates and number of poor residents” (Romich par. 2). United Way’s “comprehensive report” with “data on Pacific Northwest households,” which includes households located in “Washington, Oregon, and Idaho” revealed that there were a significant number of Washington residents that struggled to afford basic living costs (Romich par. 4). The report mentions that “13 percent of Washington households were living in poverty in 2013,” while “19 percent qualified as struggling households” (Romich par. 10). It should be recognized that the term “struggling” is the more politically correct term for “‘the working poor’” (par. 14). Therefore, based on the findings above, it was determined that a total of “32 percent of households” living below the “threshold” required to afford basic living expenses (Romich par. 10). As it relates to childhood poverty in Washington State, the poverty level remained at “18 percent” in 2013, except for “children under five who experienced a small decline” during the same period (Hernandez par.4).
Additionally, median household income remained unchanged “between 2012 and 2013” (Hernandez par. 5). However, it should be noted that the “median household income” was “still lower than it was” before the start of the Great Recession, which concluded “five years” before that period (Hernandez par. 5). On the other hand, the “richest 5 percent” of persons residing in Washington experienced an increase in their earnings by “6 percent in 2013” (Hernandez par. 5). This situation should be compared to “low and moderate income families” who experienced “little, if any, growth” during the same period (Hernandez par. 5). This situation has not recently improved as indicated by Andy Nicholas. Nicholas explains that the “vast majority of working people and families in Washington State continue to struggle,” while top-level executives, such as the “CEO of Washington state-based Expedia” earns $94.6 million for his salary in 2015 (par. 4). In fact, persons who are a part of the working class are still struggling financially despite some parts of the state’s economy performing well. For instance, despite the “mainstream Seattle” economy doing well, “especially the tech industry,” it is still not enough to get persons out of poverty in that part of the state (Le par. 11).
Literature Review Concerning Poverty Eradication Strategies
According to Cristóbal Kay, a “key and persistent challenge for rural development is the eradication of rural poverty” (124). The scholar argues that “an increasingly common livelihood strategy of the rural poor” has been to “migrate to rich countries to engage in a variety of mainly wage labor activities” (Kay 124). He notes that much of this “international outmigration is illegal, risky, and disruptive of family and local community life” (Kay 124). Nevertheless, the rural poor are willing to endure this so that they are able to go to a region to earn wages that will help to alleviate the effects of poverty in their respective households. Therefore, persons living within Washington State will benefit greatly if residents have sufficient job opportunities that pay livable wages so as to overcome the effects of poverty.
William Adams et al explain that poverty has a negative effect on conservation efforts. This is because poor people have been known to engage in the “overharvesting wild species, poaching critical species, or colonizing and cultivating biodiverse land” (1147). The researchers argue that “[c]onservation” is a “tool for achieving poverty reduction,” with the “sustainable use of natural resources being a foundation of strategies for poverty reduction and social justice” (Adams et al 1148). Conservation and environmental management are become increasingly important with environmental issues being placed at the fore. Consequently, jobs are being created in the green industry, which are now replacing traditional jobs. Therefore, conservation and environmental management can assist the Washingtonians in poverty reduction by providing opportunities for Washingtonians to earn a living from green jobs within the green industry.
Rick Cohen in his article reveals that 30 percent of Americans in their mid-twenties, 66 percent in their mid-thirties, 73 percent in their mid-forties, and 79 percent at age 60 will “experience poverty” (par. 2). In addition, Cohen notes that approximately three out of five Americans “actually spend time among the bottom 20 percent” or “even bottom 10 percent of the nation’s income” (par. 3). Therefore, the implementation of social safety net programs is necessary in order to effectively combat the rising poverty levels in Washington.
The Causes of Poverty in Washington State
Experts agree that there are several factors that account for the rising poverty levels in Washington State. One of the obvious reasons for the rising poverty levels in the state is the cost of housing, which takes a significant cut of a poor family’s income. For instance, Andy Hobbs mentions in his article that “Thurston County ranks near the bottom in the state for housing affordability” (par. 21). Hobbs notes that “the rising cost of real estate” is one of the “key reasons why 1 in 3 local households still struggle financially” in Thurston and other counties in Washington State (par. 22). Stephanie Hoopes, the “lead researcher and national director” of the United Way’s research project, mentions that in states, such as Washington, there is a “‘real mismatch in much of the region’” (qtd. in Hobbs par. 7). Hoops explains further by adding that in Washington State there is “‘expensive housing but not a lot of job opportunities,’” and where “‘there are job opportunities, you can’t afford housing’” (qtd. in Hobbs par. 7).
Another factor that accounts for the increasing poverty levels in the state of Washington is the growing income inequality, which was briefly alluded to earlier. Nicholas explains that the “richest 1 percent of households” received “all of the new income generated in Washington [S]tate between 2009 and 2013” (par. 2). On the other hand, those persons who belong to the 99 percent of Washingtonians saw their earnings decline during the same period. In fact, Lori Pfingst notes that “Washington is one of the 16 states where income gains flowed entirely to the top 1 percent” (par. 2). The writer mentions that this income inequality helps to create a “lopsided national and state economy,” where the “average income of the richest 1 percent ($1.2 million)” is “27 times greater than the average income of the entire bottom 99 percent combined ($47, 500)” (Pfingst par. 2). In fact, the income inequality has worsened to the point that the richest one percent in Washington now has a share of the wealth that is almost equal to the amount of wealth that was earned by the richest one percent prior to the Great Depression. Estelle Sommeiller, Mark Price, and Ellis Wazeter reveal that overall in the US “the top 1 percent took home 20.1 percent of all income in 2013” (par. 27). The academics explain that this “share was less than 4 percentage points higher in 1928” (Sommeiller, Price, & Wazeter par. 27). Pfingst confirms that the income inequality in Washington and other states is “approaching levels seen prior to Great Recession” (par. 3).
High tax rates are another factor that has led to the increasing poverty levels in the state of Washington. Nicholas indicates that “Washingtonians with the lowest incomes pay seven times as much as in state and local taxes” as a “share of their income than the richest” one percent (par. 6). Hernandez argues that it is “neither responsible” nor “sustainable” to expect the most financially challenged persons should be able to keep the “revenue system going” (par. 11). Pfingst notes that “Washington’s state tax system” worsens “rising income inequality” (par.4). The taxes that citizens are required to pay in Washington take a “much larger bite out of family budgets” amongst persons in the lower and middle classes compared to those in the upper class (Pfingst par. 4).
Lastly, childcare costs are another factor that has to be considered as it relates to the rising poverty levels in Washington State. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the state of Washington is ranked tenth “out of 50 states” for the “most expensive infant care” (“The Cost of Childcare in Washington” par. 1). The “average annual cost of infant care in Washington” is $12, 733 (“The Cost of Childcare in Washington” par. 1). Furthermore, it should be noted that child care in Washington costs $3, 967 more “per year than in-state tuition for 4-year public college” (“The Cost of Childcare in Washington” par. 2). In Washington, “infant care costs 11.1%” more than the average rental prices in the state (“The Cost of Childcare in Washington” par. 2). Therefore, a poor or financially struggling family would have a difficult time paying for childcare while working since it will take a significant portion of my income.
Solutions to Rising Poverty levels in Washington State
There are several solutions that can be implemented to eradicate poverty in the state of Washington, as depicted below:
Increasing the Minimum Wage. Studies have shown that increasing the minimum wage as well as “earned income tax credits (EITCs), provide significant boosts for working families earning modest wages” (Hernandez par. 9). Furthermore, Hernandez reveals that EITC and the “Working Families Tax Rebate (WFTR)” are some of the “most powerful anti-poverty” tools available (Hernandez par. 9).
Creation of Jobs in Non-Traditional Sectors. One of these sectors that can be explored is the green energy and information technology sectors. Persons who have been laid off from traditional jobs can take advantage of new job opportunities being created by the sectors.
The Implementation of Effective Social Safety Net Programs. The improvement and implementation of effective social safety net programs will greatly help with providing poor and struggling families subsidies for housing, childcare, health insurance, and food items.
Increased Investment in Policies that Support Poor and Struggling Families in Washington. The Washington State government needs to invest more resources in developing and implementing policies that support persons living at and below the poverty line. In addition, policymakers should make attempts at “expanding and strengthening early childhood education, job training, and efficient transportation” (Hernandez 10).
Stop taxing the poor at a higher rate compared to the rich persons. It is not sustainable to tax individuals who are unable to afford to sustain the revenue system for an indefinite period of time. It is more logical to heavily tax persons who have the resources to be taxed in such a manner.
Final Recommendations and Conclusion
In conclusion, it is recommended that the minimum wage be increased, jobs be created in non-traditional sectors, the rich be heavily taxed instead of the poor, policies and social safety net programs be implemented to support poor and struggling families. This will ensure that poor and struggling families are able to overcome the effects of poverty, and help to eradicate poverty by providing opportunities for poor and struggling families to take care of their families as well as take the necessary steps to come out of poverty.
Works Cited
Adams, William et al. “Biodiversity Conservation and the Eradication of Poverty.” Science 306.5699 (2004): 1146-149. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
Cohen, Rick. “The Importance of Social Safety Net Programs - Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly.” Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations Nonprofit Quarterly. N.p., 24 Aug. 2015. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
Hernandez, Elena. “Washington State One of Three States Where Poverty Is Increasing.” Budget and Policy Center. Washington State Budget and Policy Center, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
Hobbs, Andy. “Report Says 1 in 3 Washington Households Struggle to Afford Basic Life Necessities.” The Olympian. N.p., 16 Jan. 2016. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
Kay, Cristóbal. “Development Strategies and Rural Development: Exploring Synergies, Eradicating Poverty.” The Journal of Peasant Studies 36.1 (2009): 103-37. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
Le, Phoung. “Washington State Poverty Numbers Increase.” KOMO News. N.p., 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
Nicholas, Andy. “All Income Growth Is Going to the Richest 1 Percent of Washingtonians.” — Budget and Policy Center. Washington State Budget and Policy Center, 23 June 2016. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
Pfingst, Lori. “One Hundred Percent of Income Gains Have Gone to the Richest Washingtonians in Economic ‘Recovery.’” Budget and Policy Center. Washington State Budget and Policy Center, 27 Jan. 2015. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
Romich, Jennifer. “Poverty, Income Inequality Increase in Washington State.” UW Today. N.p., 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
Sommeiller, Estelle, Mark Price, and Ellis Wazeter. "Income Inequality in the US by State, Metropolitan Area, County." EPI. Economic Policy Institute, 16 June 2016. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
“The Cost of Childcare in Washington.” Economic Policy Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
