Policy Fix

Anne Kim
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Factchecks, explainers and new ideas for building a fairer America. By veteran journalist and policy expert Anne Kim, author of Poverty for Profit (The New Press), and a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. www.anneskim.com

Episodes

  1. 01/24/2025

    The truth about immigrants and public benefits

    Anti-immigration advocates claim that undocumented #immigrants are a drain on taxpayer dollars and take advantage of public benefits. Anne Kim explains why this is a myth.

    4 min

  2. 01/24/2025

    Why you shouldn't pay for tax prep

    Did you know that in 23 states, a new government program will let you file your taxes for free? Anne Kim tells you about the government's DirectFile program and about the tax prep industry's efforts to block it. Links to sources: Direct File: https://www.irs.gov/filing/irs-direct-file-for-free GAO Report: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-25-106933.pdf ProPublica: https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-fight-to-stop-americans-from-filing-their-taxes-for-free ProPublica: https://www.propublica.org/article/turbotax-maker-linked-to-grassroots-campaign-against-free-simple-tax-filing Open Secrets: https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/summary?cycle=2023&id=D000026667 Open Secrets: https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/h-r-block/summary?id=D000022016 Open Secrets: https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2023/09/tax-prep-companies-lobbying-against-free-file-face-scrutiny-from-lawmakers/ IBISWorld: https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/tax-preparation-services/1399/ POLITICO: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/07/republicans-introduce-bill-to-block-direct-file-00170628 TaxNotes: https://www.taxnotes.com/featured-news/house-republicans-urge-trump-end-direct-file/2024/12/11/7p52w National Consumer Law Center: https://www.nclc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Rpt_2021_Tax_Time.pdf H&R Block Annual Report: https://investors.hrblock.com/static-files/21dc5fdd-67e6-4ca2-bee8-3f44c73a3447

    3 min

  3. 01/22/2025

    One easy way to reduce the federal budget deficit

    Elon Musk and his DOGE initiative are looking to cut government waste and reduce the federal deficit. They've proposed slashing departments and firing staff. But they're overlooking one simple fix. Anne Kim explains.

    3 min

  4. 01/21/2025

    Private accounts: How NOT to save Social Security

    Social Security is going broke, and some people argue that "private accounts" are the best way to save the program. Journalist and lawyer Anne Kim explains why Social Security privatization won't work and suggests a better way to ensure the program's future financial footing. Sources cited: Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget: https://www.crfb.org/blogs/cbo-social... CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/31/politi... Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/ Macrotrends.net: https://www.macrotrends.net/2324/sp-5... Federal Reserve: https://www.federalreserve.gov/econre... Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-rea... Federal Reserve Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking: https://www.federalreserve.gov/public... Lending Tree: https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-ca... Lending Tree: https://www.lendingtree.com/student/s.... Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances: https://www.federalreserve.gov/public... CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/19/bank-... Bank of America: https://institute.bankofamerica.com/e... CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/04/a-bri... Vanguard – How America Saves: https://institutional.vanguard.com/co... Social Security Administration – Maximum Taxable Income: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/cbb.html Congressional Budget Office: https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60955 National Association of Social Insurance: https://www.nasi.org/discussion/socia.... U.S. Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/library/storie... Yahoo Finance: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-m... US News: https://money.usnews.com/money/retire... Image credits: Jeff Bezos: Steve Jurvetson - Flickr: Bezos’ Iconic Laugh, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index... Elon Musk: Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons Mark Zuckerberg: Anthony Quintano, via Wikimedia Commons

    4 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

Factchecks, explainers and new ideas for building a fairer America. By veteran journalist and policy expert Anne Kim, author of Poverty for Profit (The New Press), and a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. www.anneskim.com

Information

  • Creator
    Anne Kim
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Anne Kim
  • Show Website
    Policy Fix