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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (June 15, 2018)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2018 Study: A fifth of rural Oregon kids live in poverty Oregon is 24th among states By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Capital Bureau SALEM — More than 20 percent of children in rural Oregon live in poverty, a new study finds. A report from Save the Children places Oregon 24th among states in terms of how its rural children are faring economically. About 21.6 percent of chil- dren in Oregon’s rural areas live in poverty, while 16.1 per- cent of children in Oregon’s urban areas were considered impoverished, according to the study. Nationally, 14.1 million, or 19.5 percent, of American kids live in poverty, a rate that exceeds most other countries in the Organization for Eco- nomic Cooperation and Devel- opment, a 37-member group of nations with advanced economies. Researchers used data from the 2016 American Commu- nity Survey, published by the U.S. Census Bureau, to deter- mine rural and urban poverty U.S. Department of Agriculture A report from Save the Children places Oregon 24th among states in terms of how its rural children are faring economically. rates among kids. The Census Bureau defines the poverty threshold in 2016 as an annual income of $24,339 for a family of four with two children. In most states, rural child poverty is higher than poverty among children in urban areas, consistent with a decadeslong trend in the U.S., the Save the Children study found. “Growing up in poverty is one of the greatest threats to healthy child development,” the study states. “When young children grow up in poverty, they are at higher risk of expe- riencing difficulties later in life — having poor physical and mental health, becoming teen parents, dropping out of school and facing limited unemploy- ment opportunities.” Overall, Oregon ranks 22nd among states for the five indi- cators of child poverty that the study synthesizes. Save the Children used five main data points corre- sponding to events that “end” childhood: infant mortality, malnutrition, dropping out or delaying graduation from high school, violence and teen births. Oregon has the nation’s eighth-lowest infant mortal- ity rate, and has relatively low rates of teen births and vio- lence against children. But its low high school gradua- tion rates and comparatively high rates of child malnutrition drive down the state’s overall ranking. With 25.2 percent of Ore- gon kids failing to graduate in four years, Oregon ranks 48th for high school gradua- tion rates. And the state ranked 39th in 2015 for child food inse- curity, with about 22.5 per- cent of Oregon kids facing malnutrition. But that’s a slight improve- ment, as the state’s overall rate of food insecurity continues to decline, according to an Octo- ber study from Oregon State University. “The strength of the Oregon economic recovery appears to have finally had a positive effect on reducing food insecu- rity,” wrote Mark Edwards, a professor of sociology at Ore- gon State University’s School of Public Policy, in an October report. “These positive trends being noted, Oregon continues to have a food insecurity rate that is statistically significantly higher than the rate for the U.S. as a whole, representing about 560,000 Oregon adults and children in food insecure households.” In commenting on the study’s findings about the state’s rural poverty rate, Gov. Kate Brown’s office empha- sized what they say are her efforts to tackle the root causes of poverty throughout the state. “All of Oregon’s children deserve the opportunity to grow and thrive in safe envi- ronments,” a spokeswoman for Brown wrote in an email. “In addition to increasing access to comprehensive health care and hands-on learning opportuni- ties, Gov. Brown is focused on addressing the root causes that devastate families and impact children, including sub- stance abuse, addiction, hous- ing instability, and domestic violence.” The Capital Bureau is a collaboration between EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group. Proposed US banking fix for marijuana may not open all doors By MICHAEL R. BLOOD Associated Press LOS ANGELES — A pro- posal in Congress to ease the U.S. ban on marijuana could encourage more banks to do business with cannabis com- panies, but it appears to fall short of a cure-all for an indus- try that must operate mainly as a cash business in a credit card world. Marijuana is legal in some form in about 30 states, but companies that grow or sell it often are locked out at banks. Their money isn’t wanted because the drug is illegal under federal law and trans- actions tied to pot proceeds could expose financial insti- tutions to money-laundering charges. The bipartisan measure — which received tentative sup- port from President Donald Trump — would ensure states have the right to determine the best approach to mari- juana, without federal interfer- ence. It also includes language intended to address the bank- ing gap caused by the federal ban. The legislation has been praised as a strong step, but “standing alone, it’s likely not a silver bullet for the banking problem,” said California pot industry attorney Nicole How- ell Neubert, a member of a state task force that studied the banking stalemate. “Most financial institutions will be looking for even more affirmative direction from (Washington) to feel com- fortable with banking canna- bis companies,” she said in a statement. The shortage of bank- ing services has been a major obstacle to the industry, often forcing businesses to conduct sales and pay vendors and taxes in cash, sometimes in vast amounts that can become targets for criminals. The number of financial institutions working with mar- ijuana companies has been growing, but it’s still a small fraction overall. The Mountain West Credit Union Association and the Maine Credit Union League said in a joint statement that the legislation would “provide the certainty we need … to service this growing industry.” The measure, which faces an uncertain future in Con- gress, does not legalize mar- ijuana nationally. But it takes steps to allow banks to handle marijuana funds without the risk of federal prosecution. For example, it says money from marijuana businesses in states where the drug is legal would no longer be considered illegal proceeds, and it would allow banks to accept those funds without breaking mon- ey-laundering laws. Even then, risk remains as banks face a range of compli- ance rules by accepting mari- juana-linked money. The Bank Secrecy Act requires that banks know their customers well enough to ensure they are not engaging in money laun- dering, said Julie A. Hill, a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law. “This likely means that a bank accepting marijuana money would have to do enough research to know that their customers are complying with state law regarding the sale of marijuana,” Hill said. “The bank would likely have to confirm that the marijuana is not sold to minors or sold for transport to states where it is illegal.” Banks could face penal- ties if they don’t meet such requirements. They also are urged to watch for warning signs of possible illegal activity, such as financial statements pro- vided by a business not squar- ing with account activity. Because the cost of doing such research would be high, some banks might choose to stay away from marijuana money, Hill said in an email. If the legislation passes, it’s likely marijuana will stay ille- gal in some conservative-lean- ing states, such as South Dakota and Kansas. Some banks in those states might then be uneasy about handling marijuana dollars coming from places where the drug is legal. “I don’t imagine the … THANK YOU The Family of Dale Larson would like to express our gratitude to all who sent cards, flowers, prayers, kind thoughts, shared memories and gave loving support to us all since the car accident took this wonderful man away from us so abruptly. We have been uplifted knowing how many in the community will remember him fondly. financial institution would take that risk to take in funds from a business considered illegal in that state,” said Beth Mills of the Western Bankers Association. Another uncertainty that could give banks pause: The conflict between Trump, who signaled his support for the legislation, and his own Jus- tice Department. Attorney General Jeff Ses- sions staunchly opposes mar- ijuana and lifted an Obama administration policy in order to allow federal prosecutors to more aggressively pursue cases in states that have legal- ized marijuana. Colorado tried to set up a credit union in 2015 to serve the pot industry but the Federal Reserve blocked it. In Oregon, the state Department of Reve- nue built a fortress-like office for dropping off and counting cash. WANTED Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber Northwest Hardwoods • Longview, WA Contact: John Anderson • 360-269-2500 DAD WANTS CRAB! We will carry on his legacy. Volunteer Happy Father’s Day! On Sunday, June 17 th Pick of the Week Victor DADS Eat For 1/2 Price Normas Seafood & Steak • 20 N. Columbia, Seaside, OR Open 11am Daily • 503.738.4331 • www.normasseaside.com 1 1/2 year old Siberian Husky/ Akita Blend What you get from Dog Love: fresh air and healthful outdoor activity! Learn more on Petfinder.com Sponsored By B AYSHORE A NIMAL H OSPITAL Harlan Danforth 2/14/1956-4/3/2018 C LATSOP C OUNTY A NIMAL S HELTER Just one last story! www.dogsncats.org Please come and celebrate the life of a Beloved; Storyteller, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Loyal Friend and Brother. Share one more story, pie and coffee with the laughter and love that is Harlan’s legacy. Saturday June 16 2018, at 2:00 pm 1315 SE 19 th Street, Warrenton • 861 - PETS Noon to 4pm, Tues-Sat Thank you to all of the wonderful people, sponsors, restaurants, business and other community members that went into making Soup Bowl 2018 a success! SPONSORS Columbia Memorial Hospital • Providence Seaside • US Bank Cannon Beach Vacation Rentals • Safeway • Roland Schorr & Tower Anonymous Community Member • Bliss Sequoia Insurance Moberg & Rust Attorneys at Law P.C. • Imogen Gallery RESTAURANTS Good To Go • Blue Scorcher Bakery • Downtown Coffee Shop T.Paul’s Supper Club • T.Paul’s Urban Café • Street 14 Café Bridgewater Bistro • Mo’s Chowder • Dooger’s Seaside Three Cups Coffee • El Tapatio • Dough Dough Bakery Bruce’s Candy Kitchen • Baked Alaska • Naked Lemon Peter Pan Market • Astoria Co-Op • Fort George Brewery Cellar on 10th • Buoy Beer Co. • The Wine and Beer Haus • Fred Meyer A SPECIAL THANKS TO The Astoria Dragon Kiln • Senator Betsy Johnson • Amy Lewis Thank you all for standing with us in support of survivors! We couldn’t do it without you. -The Harbor 141 DO SE Sunnyside Rd. Clackamas, OR 97015 We would like to thank the community for the recent passage of Measure 4-192 five-year operating levy for ongoing operations of Clatsop Care Health District services. Your continued support is very much appreciated!
