19 minute read
Education
US Parents Pay Nearly Double the ‘Affordable’ Cost for Child Care and Preschool
BY JOYA MISRA THE CONVERSATION
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President Joe Biden wants to make child care more affordable across the U.S. Under his American Families Plan, proposed in April 2021, the federal government would subsidize the costs of child care to the tune of US$225 billion annually. Lower-income families could access child care free of charge, while middle-class families would pay no more than 7% of their income. Additionally, the plan seeks 14% of the incomes of middle-class working tries, I know that the United States spends subto make free, high-quality pre- families – for example, those with a house- stantially less on early education and child care school available for all 3- and hold income of $50,000-$100,000 for a family than comparable nations. While the U.S. spends 4-year-olds. of four – according to the Center for Ameri- approximately $2,500 a year on child care and Almost 60% of parents say can Progress, a progressive think tank. For early education per child, the average in Europe preschool and day care ex- lower-income families, the share rises to 35% is $4,700. Some countries, including Norway penses are a financial strain. As a scholar who studies government sup- and Sweden, spend more than $10,000. Currently, child care eats up port for working families in different coun-
Impact of limited funding
Given the devastating effects of the pandemic on child care in the U.S., as part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan the federal government has added $39 billion to support child care providers, and an additional $15 billion in flexible funding for states to make child care more affordable. This is in addition to $10 billion provided as part of a December 2020 COVID-19 relief package. Yet these one-time infusions can’t solve the long-term lack of child care funding. Federal spending is usually so limited that it reaches relatively few children. For example, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act provides federal funding to states that provide child care subsidies for low-income families with children under 13. Yet only 15% of the nearly 14 million children who are eligible for these subsidies actually benefit from them. Early Head Start and Head Start are free, federally funded programs that promote school readiness for children ages 3-5 from low-income families. Early Head Start serves only 11% of eligible children, and Head Start serves 36% of eligible children. Despite demand for Head Start services, inadequate funding limits how many kids the program can serve. In other words, most working families cannot rely on these programs.
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Benefits of subsidies
While the roughly $10 billion the federal government spends annually on Head Start and $5 billion on other child care programs may seem expensive, spending on early childhood education pays large dividends and boosts economic growth – effectively generating more revenue than the programs cost. Research consistently shows that children enrolled in early education programs are more likely to go to college, earn more money, have better health and not receive public assistance. Indeed, a 2016 study shows that every $1 the government spent on high-quality early childhood education programs in North Carolina led to a $7 benefit to the economy. More money spent on child care means less spent on other government benefits like unemployment insurance and Medicaid.
Effective models for pre-K
Biden’s American Families Plan also seeks to build on the work of successful statefunded preschool programs. Florida, the District of Columbia, Oklahoma and Vermont have adopted nearly universal pre-K for 4-year-olds, and some other states, counties and cities have begun to build these programs too. Universal pre-K programs are also being expanded to include 3-yearolds. These programs work. For example, researchers studied the children who enrolled in the high-quality pre-K program in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as 4-year-olds after they reached middle school. They found the pre-K alumni had better math skills, took more honors courses and were less likely to be held back in school than 4year-olds who did not take part in the program. Yet as of 2021 relatively few U.S. children can attend highquality preschool. Wealthier families are more likely to enroll their kids in licensed child care centers, which often have an early education component. This reinforces the achievement gap between children from poorer and wealthier families. Based on all the evidence available, I have no doubt that higher government spending on early education and child care could dramatically change the lives of working families, improve the longterm life trajectories for many Americans and strengthen the U.S. economy.p
BY KAPLAN REAL ESTATE EDUCATION
Becoming a real estate agent is an attractive career option for many people because of the minimal requirements to get started. Regardless of educational or professional background, most people can start a new career as a real estate agent within a few months. For motivated self-starters, the combination of minimal requirements and high earning potential makes real estate sales a perfect fit. No degree? No problem. You don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent in most states. A degree or certificate program can help you learn skills that you’ll use while on the job, but it’s not required. In fact, there are only a few things required to become a real estate agent in each state. Familiarizing yourself with those requirements is the first step you can take towards starting your career in real estate.
How do I become a real estate agent without a college degree?
To become a licensed real estate agent without a college degree, the process is straight-forward. Each state has its own set of requirements for real estate licensure, but they all involve taking a certain amount of pre-licensing education and passing an exam. Once you figure out how to satisfy your state’s requirements, you can start taking your pre-licensing education and preparing for your exam. Luckily, there are many options out there to help you succeed, including online and weekend real estate courses and exam prep tools. It’s a good idea to plan out the next few months of your time so that you can stick to a schedule of completing your pre-licensing education and preparing for your exam. Choose a real estate school that’s approved by the state where you want to earn a license and offers courses that fit your schedule and instructional preferences. Many people find the pre-licensing education usually isn’t enough to fully prepare for their real estate exam. You can get a head start on your exam day prep by investigating exam study tools and making a plan for success on exam day.
What are the best college majors for real estate agents?
Popular majors for future real estate agents include marketing, finance, accounting, psychology, and business. Even though going to college isn’t required, you may find it helpful to complete a degree or certificate program to gain knowledge that would help you succeed as a real estate agent. Passing your exam and completing your pre-licensing education doesn’t guarantee you a thriving career, which is why many agents find it beneficial to have additional background knowledge in marketing themselves, maintaining their finances, and understanding the psychology of their clients. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time at a four-year university to gain an understanding of these topics, either. For a busy parent or professional, it might not be feasible to find the time and money needed to earn a four-year degree in real estate. Local community colleges offer two-year associate degrees in areas like marketing, business, and accounting, and many offer night and online classes. Boosting your marketing or business knowledge could be as simple as taking a few classes.
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Which schools offer degrees or certificates in real estate?
If you’re looking for something more comprehensive, some four-year colleges and universities have begun offering specific real estate degrees and certificates. Attending a four-year university to study real estate is a good option for prospective students who are planning to attend college regardless of their major. At many of these colleges, you’ll receive a solid educational background in real estate law, finance, and development. One of the benefits of the real estate salesperson’s licensure process is that its accessible to people from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. You don’t need a college degree, and the requirements are minimal. Ready to start preparing? Visit www.nacc.nyc/kaplan p
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Barbara Bowen, Named NYSUT Higher Education Member of the Year
Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council Barbara Bowen, a fierce advocate for workers, students and progressive causes, is returning to teaching after more than two decades as president of the Professional Staff Congress representing faculty and academic staff at CUNY. She was honored recently as Higher Education Member of the Year by PSC’s statewide affiliate, NYSUT.p
Laborers Local 79 - New York City, NY Communities for Change, labor and community allies marched for safe and responsible development. Inspections by the Department of Buildings keep turning up safety violations at the 100% non-union Bedford Armory construction site. The NYC Labor Movement stands together against greedy, unscrupulous developers and we must hold our elected officials accountable when the choices they make endanger workers’ safety. p
Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council
NEW Equity Awards Luncheon Honors Local #3 IBEW Member
Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council
Nontraditional Employment for Women's (NEW) Equity Leadership Awards Luncheon celebrates the women building New York City. For more than 40 years NEW has trained and placed women in the skilled construction trades and related fields, helping them secure sustainable wages for themselves and their families. The women who enter the doors of NEW are changed; they walk out confident and ready to begin their journey in a new career. The Equity Leadership Awards Luncheon recognizes the hard work and dedication of NEW students and graduates as well as those who support them. Each year NEW has the opportunity to honor leaders in the construction, labor, and real estate communities as well as an outstanding tradeswoman that is making a difference in New York City and the surrounding areas. This year that tradeswoman was Journeywoman and NEW graduate Keisha Spradley of Local #3 IBEW. Keisha was honored at NEW's virtual luncheonp
Read more stories and news at www.workersworldtoday.com
Editorial Staffers at Forbes Unionize
The editorial workers at Forbes sional environment that reannounced their itention to moves the top-down manageunionize with The NewsGuild ment structures, equity in pay of New York with over 80% of eligible and opportunity, and accountstaffers signed on to the campaign. ability. Forbes staffers are asking company The staffers organized during management to respect their collec- the pandemic and an increastive voice and recognize their union. ingly precarious industry, join For over 100 years, Forbes has been ing thousands of courageous an influential news source that iden- journalists and media profestifies business trends and holds those sionals across the nation who with power and great wealth to ac- have organized their newscount. Now, the reporters, editors, rooms and workplaces. designers, videographers and social “This is largely about media editors who make Forbes great strengthening a greater sense seek to ensure that the magazine re- of balance within the newsmains a leading voice in the business room,” said Matt Kang, Video industry with a voice for those who Producer at Forbes. “The more produce it. balanced we are as a unit, the The Forbes Union organized to se- stronger we can perform in an cure the standards of a professional increasingly competitive and newsroom: a more inclusive and crowded media landscape and transparent workplace, job security, ensure our successful track transparency, a collaborative profes- record.”p
Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council
Victory for VOCALNY User’s Union
Ahuge victory for VOCAL-NY User’s Union — the Assembly passed S1795/A533, legislation to mandate medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in prison and jails. This victory has been years in the making, after the same bill died in the Assembly in the final hours of the 2019 legislative session. MAT is the gold standard of treatment for opioid use disorder, and will prevent inhumane withdrawals that lead to an increased risk of overdose in prisons. As Hiawatha Collins, a leader with VOCALNY’s User’s Union, said in a statement: “This legislation ensures that they will have access to medication assisted treatment for their substance use disorders during their incarceration, their autonomy honored by offering all three forms of medication, and that there is a warm hand off with their care after their incarceration. Ultimately, however, we hope that this is a step towards ending the punitive approach towards drug use and moving towards a world without a drug war, where people who use drugs are treated with respect and given the care and support they deserve.” In another victory, the New York City Council passed Into 146, long-awaited legislation to fix the city’s broken voucher system by raising it to a fair market rate. With the new CityFHEPS rental rate, over 70,000 more apartments will be accessible to people with the voucher — an incredible accomplishment and testament to the power of homeless New Yorkers who fought for this bill. Unfortunately, Intro 146 was amended in the final days of negotiations -- without any input from directly impacted New Yorkers — that removed key provisions that protected people from losing their voucher. Read our full statement here, and a quote below from Joseph Loonam, VOCALNY’s Housing Campaign Coordinator: “Homeless New Yorkers know how seemingly minor policy shifts can have major impacts on people’s lives, and these changes will undoubtedly force many people back to shelters or the streets. “p
Attorney General James Leads Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congressional Support for Fraud and Scam Reduction Act
NEW YORK: New York best suited to identify the from victims and relay the inAttorney General warning signs of elder fraud. formation to the appropriate Letitia James contin- The act also establishes the law enforcement agencies. ued her efforts to protect sen- Office for the Prevention of Joining Attorney General ior citizens in New York Fraud Targeting Seniors — James in sending today’s letter against fraud. Attorney Gen- housed in the Bureau of Con- to Congress are the attorneys eral James co-led a bipartisan sumer Protection of the FTC. general from Alaska, coalition of 47 attorneys gen- The office will complement the Arkansas, California, Coleral in sending a letter to con- efforts of the Senior Scams Pre- orado, Connecticut, Delaware, gressional leaders, urging vention Advisory Group by: Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, them to pass the Fraud and Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Scam Reduction Act. The act — •Monitoring emerging scams Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, comprised of the Stop Senior Scam Act and Seniors Fraud Prevention Act of 2021 — will assist stakeholders in training employees to recognize the warning signs of elder fraud and to prevent irreversible damage to elderly victims. “The COVID-19 pandemic has sadly opened up senior citizens to a new array of fraudulent schemes to steal their money, their identities, and, very often, the freedoms they enjoy,” said Attorney General James. “It is vital that we make every effort to protect the elderly against fraud and irreversible harm, which is why our bipartisan coalition is calling on Congress to immediately pass the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act. We must protect the elderly and ensure we minimize the opportunities for them to become victims in the future.” The bipartisan legislation will provide innovative ways to combat the financial exploitation of senior citizens, like establishing the Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Group that will be accountable to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The group will collect data generated by stakeholders — such as retailers, financial services, and wire-transfer companies — to help educate employees on how to identify and prevent scams that target seniors. The group will develop training and educational materials for those employees that target seniors through the internet, mail, robocalls, telemarketing, and television; •Disseminating information on common fraud schemes; and •Sharing information on how to report suspected senior fraud scams to a national fraud hotline and the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network. The FTC will also work with the U.S. Department of Justice to log and track complaints Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.p
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Understanding the Foreclosure Process & Common Defenses
BY TRISTAN PHILLIP EQUITY SMART REALTY INC
Foreclosure is a legal process by which a lender takes possession of collateral pledged to secure a loan. Because it is a complex legal action, and because there are few resources for homeowners, vehicle owners, and other borrowers to research precisely how a foreclosure works, being involved in such an ordeal can be both stressful and confusing. Like all legal disputes, the excellent news is foreclosure cases must allow the borrower to state their case. There are numerous ways for borrowers to protect themselves, many of which are guaranteed under federal and state laws.
Common Defenses Some of the most common defenses to foreclosure include: •the foreclosing bank didn't follow the required state procedures •the foreclosing party can't prove it owns the loan (it lacks "standing") •the mortgage servicer made a grave mistake when handling your loan •you're a servicemember on active duty and protected by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act •the statute of limitations has passed, and •the servicer used a defective affidavit or declaration. If you are involved in a foreclosure, here are some things to consider.
The Time Factor
Because of the mandated notice lenders must provide to borrowers before they can legally take possession of the collateral, foreclosing on a home, a vehicle, or land is by no means a quick and simple act. Lenders must file a Notice of Default which begins a phase called the reinstatement period. Roughly 12 weeks later, a lender is required to post a Notice of Sale on the property and deliver the same to the borrower. Generally speaking, this three-month window is a borrower's opportunity to bring their loan current and avoid the sale of their property.
Judicial Foreclosure Some states require the involvement of a court during the foreclosure process in much the same way the federal government requires bankruptcies to be subject to the jurisdiction of a federal judge. In states where judicial foreclosure is mandated, borrowers have the opportunity to state their case opposing the sale of their home in a hearing before a judge. Like all litigation, a foreclosure case is subject to the orderly processes of the court, which means a defendant borrower has the same compulsory process as the lender. Motions can be filed. Evidence can be presented, and the actions of the lender can be contested at each step.
Auctions
During the normal course of a foreclosure, the property in question usually ends up being auctioned off by the lender to recover the property's value and pay off the loan. Auctions typically take place shortly after the reinstatement period ends. By and large, if your foreclosure reaches the auction phase, it is probably too late to save the property. One option all property owners have before the auction is negotiating with the lender to perform something called a "short sale." This can have some significant tax ramifications, but it also gives you the option to plan for the sale of your home rather than have everything proceed according to the lender's schedule. If you are facing foreclosure, your best options are to consult with a real estate attorney and then negotiate with your lender. Most banks and finance companies will make many concessions if it helps them avoid acquiring a house, they have to either sell or maintain. It is also important to recognize you have alternatives and time to avoid an unfortunate outcome. Take your time, perform your due diligence and use the options available to you.
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Need assistance? Schedule an appointment today. call us at 855-768-8845.p
