ISSUE 164 | July 6, 2022
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From Around the Region and the State
Economic and Policy News
PA is one of 19 states with strong laws barring payday lenders from operating 
Payday loans negatively impact the most vulnerable communities, so leaders in many states are looking to restrict operations or limit fees.

Fees generally run about 33 percent of pay, creating a vicious cycle of need for people who use these services.

As a restrictive state, PA keeps payday lenders from operating and thereby protects vulnerable individuals.  

Defense dollars to states are on the rise
PA’s overall share of defense finding lies in the middle of the range distributed across all states.

Contracts per capita, at $1,159, are less than the $1,333 U.S. average; salaries are also higher than the U.S. average ($233 and $469, respectively).

Related grants fall short of the national average, however, at $28 per capita compared to $24 per capita. 
PA funds mental health services in schools but not pertinent training  
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Mental health among adolescents had been suffering prior to the pandemic, and it has since worsened.

PA has allocated funding to support school-based mental health services, but the state has yet to provide appropriate training and resources for staff students.

It is critical for them to learn how to identify people in distress and intervene as needed.   

From Around the Nation and the Globe
Economic and Policy News
Pocket parks positively influence youth 
To foster equity in underserved neighborhoods, one nonprofit leads a resident design process and develops pocket parks.

Four of these small parks are under development in the city of Detroit, and plans for 12 more are in the works.

Their locations coincide with the priority locations of Brilliant Detroit, a nonprofit providing resources to families as part of its ‘kid success neighborhood’ effort.  
Populations increase in suburban and rural areas 
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Populations in major cities declined as people opted to distance themselves during the pandemic.

Commuting also became less burdensome as a result of remote and hybrid work.

Permanent moves jumped 15 percent in the past year alone, and sunbelt areas were large draws. 
States are stepping up to secure health care workers
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Demands of COVID-19, along with an increase in health care provider retirements, are fueling an industry worker shortage across the nation.

As such, states must compete for health care workers.

Leaders are working to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates, ensure higher wages, reduce the costs of education and training programs, and offer high school level certifications. 
Research Spotlight: The Spring 2022 edition of the Quarterly Economy Tracker is out now! Follow the link for articles on households’ financial outlook, and the effects of the pandemic on family caregivers. You'll also find data on fixed-income households, the latest wage trends, and labor market activity.
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