Congressional Leader: Poor Communities Need More Federal Aid
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
In a lecture at Brown University last night, Congressional leader James Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat, called for more federal aid to America’s poorest communities.
Clyburn—the third ranking Democratic in the U.S. House—touted a formula that he has said was used successfully in the economic stimulus program. Calling it the 10-20-30 formula, it would direct 10 percent of federal funds to communities where 20 percent of the population has been below the federal poverty line for more than 30 years. He said the formula should be used for all future stimulus programs.
He presented his program as particularly bi-partisan, stating that, of the 374 counties which would qualify, two thirds of them are represented by Republicans. Direct resources to needy communities, Clyburn argued, are what will close the economic gap—not tax cuts for the rich.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn order to pay for his proposal, Clyburn suggests taxing the top 2 percent of the population and eliminating tax loopholes for corporations. Even though the corporate tax for top companies is one of the highest in the world—many companies pay nothing due to loopholes, Clyburn said.
The lecture, titled “Making all Communities a Part of the American Recovery and Resurgence,” was part of the John Hazen White lecture series.
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