By Devin Katayama
Murray, KY – Kentucky now ranks 48th in the nation for child poverty. That's according to the annual 2011 Kids Count Data Book. The report measures ten indicators of child well-being from socioeconomic status to health. Terry Brooks, the Executive Director of Kentucky Youth Advocates says there are bigger issues than the current talking points in the nation's capitol:
"We now can say that more than one out of four children lives in poverty. And when you think about that kind of number the time has come to stop playing games on tax issues like the tax income tax credit and move ahead."
Results from the report show that more Kentucky children are in school and more have graduated. But Brooks says Kentucky is behind when compared to the national average. Brooks says his organization has two solutions that could help: First, the state should intact a state income tax credit, which would stimulate local economies. He also says better regulation of predatory lending practices would help alleviate poverty.