MANNA, Inc.

Living Wage Campaign
MANNA and Alternative Connections believe that a low wage job cannot adequately feed a family. Many grass-roots groups and labor organizations are active in the Living Wage campaign, organized by the Tennessee Industrial Renewal Network (TIRN). The Living Wage Ordinance is a small way for Nashvillians to make sure that people who work full time earn enough to live decently. The coalition wants the ordinance to be passed first in the Metropolitan government of Nashville, then in other sectors of the economy. The ordinance assures that all workers paid with Metro government money earn a living wage. Members of the coalition will meet with Metro council members in April and May to show their support for the ordinance.

Child Support
Families throughout Tennessee are not receiving their child support payments in an orderly and routine fashion. Without reliable child support payments, these families face even greater obstacles to maintaining their basic needs. Tennessee's Department of Human Services (DHS) contracts with Maximus, a for-profit agency, to collect payments. Then DHS disburses the payments to the custodial parent. Alternative Connections, in coalition with Tennessee State Welfare Allies, sees several things which keep this process from working smoothly. They are working to eliminate these barriers:

1. It is often unknown whether Maximus has collected the payment, because some custodial parents do not receive money on time from DHS.

2. Absentee/Non-custodial parents do not show up for court. They receive Contempt of Court Warrants, but there is no follow-through.

3. Procedures for enforcement when custodial and absentee parents are in separate counties are unclear.

4. When a new court date is set, the custodial parent is not notified.

5. Accountability seems vague. DHS is supposed to monitor Maximus, but no one is certain that this occurs. Parents do not know where to voice their grievances, or where to appeal.

Members of Alternative Connections, with State Welfare Allies, met with the new Assistant Commissioner in March, 2001 to discuss these concerns. They say he was receptive. The group feels hopeful about continued communication with him, and changes that will result from their meeting.

Eligibility for Benefits. (SB264/HB782)*
People who have been convicted of felony charges for possession, use or sale of illegal drugs are currently barred for life from receiving either Families First or food stamps. There is a possibility for legislation that would restore Families First and Food Stamp benefits to people who have been convicted of felony drug charges. MANNA is interested in this effort. The bill would also promote treatment by allowing a felon convicted of drug charges to remain eligible for these benefits, if the individual has completed, is participating in, or is seeking to participate in drug treatment. It is supported also by Renewal House, and is sponsored by Senators Henry and Arriola.

Families First Extension of Eligibility.(SB511/HB1294)*
This bill allows Families First recipients to receive benefits beyond the life time limits if attending school full time or unable to find work beyond their control. DHS staff is trying to determine if the bill's changes can and should be made administratively. Senators Henry and Arriola are the sponsors for this bill.

First Wheels
The First Wheels Program allows Families First recipients to have much-needed access to reliable transportation through interest-free car loans. Alternative Connections will monitor the program and advocate for changes, including on-going funding, as needed.

Immigration
MANNA, Inc. is working with the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) to make sure that the growing population of immigrants in Nashville, and throughout the state, is aware of their opportunities to access public benefits. In 2000, our agencies worked to enforce Title VI regulations. We verified that the number of Spanish-only speaking households was large enough to warrant translation of application materials into Spanish. The Department of Human Services is working on this. MANNA and TJC are also trying to spread the word about Federal regulations that allow immigrant parents to apply for their U.S. citizen children, without having to reveal their immigration status.

Tax Reform*
Currently, Tennessee's poorest citizens feel the greatest impact of a tax system, which provides inadequate revenue to the state budget. With the major source of the state's revenue coming from sales taxes, families with low incomes pay up to three-fourths of their money on taxable items, including food. With technical and staff support from the Tennessee Partnership on Organizing and Public Policy (TPOPP, a Ford Foundation Devolution project), MANNA and Alternative Connections are working with Tennesseans for Fair Taxation (TFT) on tax reform measures. Alternative Connections focuses on communicating the needs for reform to members of low-income communities. There are bills in the legislature now, which focus on tax reform See www.yourtax.org/tft for more information.

*To review the full text, committee status, and other important information, visit the state legislature's website, at www.legislature.state.tn.us, Click bills, click filed bills index, click on bill number.

Bread for the World/Hunger to Harvest
MANNA, Inc. has worked to raise Nashville's awareness of world hunger for years. Bread for the World works on consciousness of hunger at the national level. "Hunger to Harvest" is Bread's campaign for U.S. commitment to reduce hunger in Africa. It includes an increase of $1 billion in poverty-focussed assistance, including debt-relief. This measure will support efforts by people who are poor in Africa to improve their lives. Many African people still suffer from hunger and poverty. Our U.S. budget surpluses mean we can do more to help long-term development. When U.S. aid is targeted to improve health care, education, agriculture and small-scale business in Africa, it can make a big difference in people's lives. Please click on www.Bread.org for more information.

Nutrition Assistance for Working Families and Seniors Act (S.583)
This bill responds to the needs of elderly and working families who are hungry. Participation in the Food Stamp Program has declined 34% over the past four years, four times more than poverty. This has left over 2 million more people in poverty AND without food stamps today, than in 1995. Many of those who would benefit the most under this bill are immigrants, children and seniors. Senators Kennedy and Spector sponsor this bill. For more information, contact www.frac.org.

Tax Cuts and a Refundable Child Tax Credit
President Bush's tax cut proposal has undergone significant criticism for its size and its distribution of resources. MANNA, Inc. is concerned about the welfare of our nation's neediest citizens. A tax cut like the one the president wants places in question the allotment of benefits to America's working poor families, as well as other poor segments of our society. For further information, you can contact www.fairtaxesforall.org.

A refundable child credit of $1,000 per child would build on the president's proposal, but ensure that low-income children are not left behind. If enacted, this initiative would effectively achieve greater equity in any tax cut and reduce child and family poverty. To read more about this issue, click on www.childrensdefense.org.