Income Inequality Grew in Most States Over the Past Two Decades

With State Rankings WHAT: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Conference Call / Economic Policy Institute joint conference call briefing (for Media Only)

WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (ET)

Register: http://www.cbpp.org/confcall.htm

WHO:

- Elizabeth McNichol, Senior Fellow, CBPP

- Jared Bernstein, Director, Living Standards Program, Economic Policy Institute

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Economic Policy Institute will hold a joint conference call briefing on Tuesday, April 8 at 12:30 p.m. (ET) to discuss a major new report that examines income inequality at both the state and national levels, and ranks states by the severity of inequality.

During the call, speakers will discuss:

- the income gaps between families at the top and bottom of the income scale and between families at the top and middle of the income scale, both at state and national levels,

- the growth in income inequality in most states since the late 1980s,

- the acceleration of this trend in a number of states since the late 1990s,

- economic forces and government policies that contribute to growing inequality and,

- how states can respond.

The report, "Pulling Apart: A State By State Analysis of Income Trends," is one of few to examine income inequality at the state level.

After initial presentations, the panelists will field questions.

To participate in the national briefing, please register by contacting the Center's communications office at communications@cbpp.org or (202)408-1080, or by contacting EPI at ncoleman@epi.org or (202)775-8810.

You may also register on-line at http://www.cbpp.org/confcall.htm.

Please note: the report and state-by-state fact sheets will be made available under embargo on Monday, April 7th. The report and fact sheets -- as well as the contents of the briefing -- will remain under embargo until 12:01 a.m. (ET) on Wednesday, April 9.

The Center will also host two additional media calls on Tuesday, April 8 to discuss findings for the following states:

-- Connecticut: 10:45 a.m. (ET)
*--Alabama: TBA

Details on these state-specific briefings will be available shortly at: http://www.cbpp.org/confcall.htm. You may register for the state-specific briefings by contacting the Center's communications office by e-mailing communications@cbpp.org or calling (202) 408-1080.

CONTACT: Shannon Spillane of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, +1-202-408-1080, spillane@cbpp.org

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- April 3, 2008/

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Web Site: http://www.cbpp.org/

2008-04-03 16:48:11 0328020 PRNEWSWIRE