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Publications and Resources

Policies and Programs

  • Asset Building Policies in Massachusetts, November 2006

    This document provides a brief analysis of policies that can have a critical role in aiding low-income people and working families build assets. The report presents the current status of numerous policies in Massachusetts; then compares each policy to action taken in other states in New England and across the nation. The inclusion of such an extensive breadth of policies in this report is meant to suggest that progressive policy development in any of these areas can aid low-income individuals and families achieve greater economic security and begin to build wealth.

    Full Document

  • Innovative State Policies to Reduce Poverty and Expand the Middle Class: Building Asset Security Among Low-Income Households, December 2005

    Across the nation, states with both abundant and lean fiscal resources, with urban and rural populations, and reflecting a variety of ideologies, are increasingly focusing their policies in ways that enable residents to build their asset wealth. This study highlights a cross-section of America where innovative asset-building policies are working in states such as:

    • Arkansas redirected funds to help low-income residents have educational pathways in high demand occupations and the financial means to obtain that education.
    • Louisiana has adopted a "college savings plan" to offer more incentives and supports for saving on behalf of low-income children than perhaps any other state.
    • New Mexico initiated policies that increase protection of workers' earnings and investments, by greatly expanding unemployment compensation eligibility and enacting strong anti-predatory lending laws.

    Full Document

  • Minimum Wage: Creating an Asset Foundation, December 2005

    Many policies have a critical role in creating an asset foundation. This report examines the significance of federal and state minimum wage laws. This is the first of a series that will focus on the building blocks for an integrated asset policy framework emerging through state policies and practices that are advancing asset development at the state level and may drive change in federal policy. The report explores the impact of the minimum wage since its inception and the arguments for and against increases over time. The rationale and strategies behind three recent increases to state minimum wage laws (in Florida, New York, Vermont and Wisconsin) are featured as possible models for replication in other states and for federal policy change.

    Full Document

  • Perspectives - Short essays on Asset Building (2005 - 2006)

    Perspectives Index

  • The Promise of Asset Development Policies: Individual Development Accounts, January 2002

    In the Winter 2002 issue of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's Communities and Banking magazine, Larry W. Beeferman describes the promise and elements of an asset development policy framework. He focuses especially on innovative policies to enable low-income households to build financial assets, detailing encouraging outcomes of Individual Development Account initiatives throughout the country. He concludes with a perspective on ways to move forward on an asset-based policy agenda.

    Full Document

  • Promising State Asset Development Policies: Promoting Economic Well-Being Among Low-Income Households, April 2001

    The nation is in need of a new domestic policy framework and many of its building blocks are now being fashioned by state policies. This publication identifies state policies and programs that demonstrate the potential to turn traditional domestic policy on its head, by investing in the capacity of all American households to maximize economic well-being and productivity. Intended to serve as a resource guide for policymakers and the public, this document examines the promise of both new and longstanding, but updated policies and provides detailed descriptions of programs that enable low-income individuals to build income, human capital, and financial assets.

    Full Document