Bills limiting access to food stamps, loosen child labor laws head to Senate

Two Controversial Measures Passed in Kentucky House

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two controversial measures have passed the Kentucky House, and are headed to the Senate for consideration.

Relaxing Child Labor Laws and Tightening Food Stamp Eligibility

1. Republican-backed measures to relax child labor laws and tighten food stamp eligibility won passage in back-to-back votes on Friday.
2. The food stamp bill would insert income and asset tests for Kentuckians applying for SNAP benefits.
3. They would also impose work requirements for able-bodied adults with no dependents.

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

• The stricter standards of the food stamp bill could lead to thousands of low-income Kentuckians losing food assistance, putting them at greater risk of struggling to get enough to eat.
• This raises concerns about Goal 2: Zero Hunger, as it undermines efforts to ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all.
• Opponents argue that the measures could perpetuate poverty and inequality, hindering progress towards Goal 1: No Poverty and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Differing Perspectives

• Republican Rep. Wade Williams, District 4, supports the measures, stating that they aim to close loopholes and encourage more people to find employment.
• Democratic Rep. Sarah Stalker, District 34, questions the impact on the most vulnerable, asking “how poor do you have to be in Kentucky to be worthy of food?”

Concerns about Education and Employment

• The labor law measure would remove the cap on the number of hours older teenagers can work on school nights.
• Opponents argue that this could negatively affect the education of teenagers, potentially hindering progress towards Goal 4: Quality Education.
• Proponents highlight the potential life lessons and skills that teenagers can gain from holding down a job.

Conclusion

The passage of these measures in the Kentucky House raises important questions about their impact on vulnerable populations and their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. It is crucial for policymakers to consider the potential consequences and ensure that these measures do not undermine efforts to achieve a more sustainable and equitable society.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
   • Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of the population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims, and the poor and the vulnerable.

2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES).

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group and persons with disabilities.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:
– Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
– Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
– Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of the population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims, and the poor and the vulnerable.
– Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES).
– Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group and persons with disabilities.

The article discusses the relaxation of child labor laws and the tightening of food stamp eligibility, which can impact the proportion of the population covered by social protection systems (Indicator 1.3.1). It also mentions the risk of low-income Kentuckians losing food assistance and struggling to get enough to eat, highlighting the prevalence of food insecurity (Indicator 2.1.2). Additionally, the article mentions work requirements for able-bodied adults and the debate on the impact of longer work weeks on education, which relates to achieving full and productive employment and decent work (Indicator 8.5.1).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators