Childhood poverty decreases in Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE, R.I. --Childhood poverty has decreased in Rhode Island, but advocates fear a round of state budget cuts could derail that progress.
A report released Monday by Rhode Island Kids Count shows that 15 percent of children in the state live in poverty. That's down from about 21 percent in recent years.
The state is now facing a budget deficit estimated at about $450 million dollars, and lawmakers are considering deep cuts to social welfare spending. Gov. Don Carcieri has proposed cutting welfare benefits to children, tightening eligibility for state-subsidized health care and cutting spending on preschool programs.
Rhode Island Kids Count Executive Director Elizabeth Burke Bryant says the cuts could push more children back into poverty.
A Carcieri spokesman says the cuts won't significantly effect childhood poverty rates.
------
Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.projo.com/ 