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Census Bureau says Times poverty story got it 'bad wrong'
October 18, 1999 WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Census Bureau on Monday denied a New York Times story that said it was beginning to revise the way it measures poverty in a way that would add millions of families to the official poverty rolls. "The New York Times got it wrong, bad wrong," Census director of communications Steve Jost told CNN. He said the agency was writing a letter to the editor of the Times about the story. The Census Bureau has been experimenting with a dozen different possibly ways to measure poverty since the National Academy of Sciences recommended that the government update its method in 1995. A census study published in July said that substantially fewer people would be counted as poor if the government adjusted for such benefits as food stamps, school lunches and Medicaid, which are not currently counted as income. But the study also said that more people would be counted as poor if the government subtracted such work-related expenses as child care and transportation to work. In a story published in today's editions, the Times reported that under the proposed formula, for a family of four to be considered above the poverty line, their annual income would have to be $19,500 a year, instead of the current $16,600 per year. As reported by the Times, the change would make 46 million Americans, 17 percent of the population, poor. Last month, only 12.7 percent were considered poor, the lowest level in almost a decade. The current poverty formula was created during President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration and has not changed since 1965 except for inflation adjustments. If the poverty line was increased, it would mean a rise in government spending to pay for benefits such for the poor, such as food stamps. CNN's Brooks Jackson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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MORE STORIES:Monday, October 18, 1999
• Ray sworn in as Starr's successor • Starr cites 'intense politicization' in resigning post • Early Bush backer switches support to McCain • Civil rights and the Democratic presidential nomination • Census Bureau says Times poverty story got it 'bad wrong' • Albright: Senate defeat of test ban treaty has hurt U.S. • Clinton vetoes international aid bill • A look at Starr's investigations, their outcomes • Supporters of gun control boost lobbying costs by 467 percent • Clinton says he is not offended if Gore doesn't want his help in campaign • Clinton, GOP leaders to meet at White House on budget • Gov. Foster apparently in line for easy re-election • Sniping stalls work on budget, spending bills • Helms may block former senator as ambassador to New Zealand • Hillary Clinton: Probably no announcement till 2000 • Little by little, White House engaging Bush on issues • Presidential yacht on online auction block • The year, 1978; the candidate, George W. Bush • Washington Yesterday: The Senate holds off civil war | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
