California

"Tenants and a state senator are battling a requirement by a Los Angeles landlord that residents pay their rent online, alleging that a 'green' initiative introduced by the company is actually a pretense to evict low-income, elderly renters benefiting from rent-stabilization provisions."

"And what has been the most significant public response to date to that looming crisis of poverty among the elderly? It's been a backlash against the one class of workers that still retains definedbenefit pensions and a measure of retirement security - those who work in the public sector."

"Compared to other large school systems, low-income minority students are less likely to be taught by inexperienced teachers. Budget cuts that resulted in the layoff of less-experienced teachers in Los Angeles might be a contributing factor."

"Bay County ranked 25th of more than 60 Michigan counties in the report, with 5.7 percent of its youths living in impoverished communities. Genesee County ranked fourth with 23.9 percent; and Isabella County ranked eighth with 20.3 percent of its children living in high-poverty neighborhoods. Data for Midland County reflected no children living in impoverished areas."

"Now De Leon (D-Los Angeles) is teaming up with Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) to lessen that prospect of poverty in the declining years. He's proposing legislation that would allow the likes of his aunt to enroll in a modest state-operated retirement program financed by the beneficiaries with virtually no cost to employers or taxpayers."

"During an hourlong discussion, more than 30 people criticized the rule as financially crippling -- fines and court costs could surpass $800 -- and criminalizing to students who, though tardy, were trying to attend school. Many of those fined came from low-income families that could ill afford such costs."