For my final assignment in the @wcpoverty seminar I’m taking with Prof @JennieRomich, I want talk to you about federalism, U.S. anti-poverty policy, and the COVID-19 policy response.

In case this sounds boring, I will be *interpretative GIFing* the spirit of each tweet. (1/19)

The first thing you need to know:

When the federal gov't expands or establishes anti-poverty programs, they usually devolve (hand over) the administration of those programs – along with a bunch of decision-making authority – to the states.

I call this THE DEVOLUTION RULE.

You can see THE DEVOLUTION RULE at work in most of the core U.S. safety net programs.

With TANF (aka welfare reform), states have such broad discretion that many DON'T PROVIDE THE BENEFIT MOST ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORD WELFARE: basic cash assistance to families.

(See @CenterOnBudget’s excellent briefs on how states spend TANF funds) https://www.cbpp.org/research/family-income-support/state-fact-sheets-how-states-spend-funds-under-the-tanf-block-grant

Medicaid expansion under the ACA is a prominent example of THE DEVOLUTION RULE, but it’s only the tip of the federalist iceberg.

State have so many Medicaid options, they're almost impossible to track. (Thankfully, @KFF still does!)

Unemployment Insurance, perhaps the most impactful anti-poverty program in the U.S. right now, is also subject THE DEVOLUTION RULE.

While the federal government sets minimum standards, states get to decide who is eligible for UI, how much they get to receive, and for how long.

THE DEVOLUTION RULE even holds for the COVID-related changes to UI!

The CARES Act only *authorizes* states to expand eligibility for UI.

It gives states *the option* provide an additional $600 per week to UI recipients, regardless of their work history.

Side note: Until I wrote this thread, I was under the misconception that the COVID rules applied to all states. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. Only 35 states so far have made use of the new options.

(This brief from the @CenterOnBudget is what set me straight: https://bit.ly/3ddz6PH )

The $600 increases and eligibility expansions to UI are exciting because they do things American anti-poverty programs don't usually do:

1. provide generous cash benefits*
2. to a large group of people*
3. with few stipulations*

*These judgments are all relative to existing U.S. anti-poverty programs, which, compared to other @OECD countries, are quite stingy.

(This is in part due to our cultural reticence toward paying higher taxes.)

But, the new UI budgets are subject to THE DEVOLUTION RULE. And THE DEVOLUTION RULE has consequences.

I'll name three.

First, there's the discontinuity. In the U.S., someone can be guaranteed medical care and cash assistance in one state, but completely lose eligibility if they move across state lines. Even if they retain eligibility, the benefits available to them will almost certainly change.

Then, there's the budget problem. Unlike the federal government, states are required to balance their budgets.

So, states tend to cut anti-poverty spending during economic crises right when people need it most.

This one is too sad for a GIF.

Finally, there's the inequality problem. We know from work by @jennkarasmontez, @pa_homan, and others that state policy and cultural contexts contribute to the massive health disparities we see in the United States.

Now: I'm not saying that all anti-poverty programs can or should be under the federal government's control.

But, until I worked for the federal government in 2012-13, I had no idea *just* how much power states hold over the safety net.

So, if I have a recommendation, it's this: learn about the safety net where you live.

Most state agencies publish detailed program information. The left-leaning @CenterOnBudget has subsidiaries in every state. (See http://statepriorities.org/ ). Pay for your local paper.

If you want to see change, get to know who the players are in your state. Attend a legislative session. Decide where to lend your dollars, your voice, your body.

But start by learning the basics. You don't need special training. Just Google. Right where you are.

Last thing:

There are, of course, exceptions to THE DEVOLUTION RULE: Social Security, SSI, SSDI, Medicare, and refundable tax credits like the EITC.

But these are complicated in their own way and I need to go to bed. So, I'll save that GIFsplanation for another day.