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Is 45k a year for family of four: poor?

Bob Brackeen News Anchor Reporter

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POSTED: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 - 8:13am

UPDATED: Friday, December 30, 2011 - 6:04pm

East Texans respond to new census study on poverty in this country

Tyler — A new census report claims 1-in-2 americans are now considered poor or low income.

That classification includes those making about $45,000 for a famiily of four which is **double the poverty rate of 22 thousand per year.

East Texans talk-back on the survey with our news parner: KTBB and host Garth Maier.
 

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tonks December 21, 2011
at 3:04pm

The question posed asks whether people who make that amount of money should be considered low income. For a family of 4, it is low-income. If utilities and insurance weren't so expensive, it would be considered middle class. Texas has the most expensive insurance rates in the United States, thanks to Rick Perry and the Tx legislature and an insurance industry that is absolutely unchecked and practically unregulated.

don December 30, 2011
at 3:32pm

You are correct but, that is the REPUBLICAN CONTROLED LEGISLATURE !! The Republicans have been in TOTAL control of all branches of our State government for more than 13 years now and we are broke and at the bottom of every list except for the poverty list where we are almost #1

Gigi December 21, 2011
at 2:31pm

It sure doesn't seem like it SHOULD be poor. But consider that if your gross salary is $45,000, you're probably taking home only about 65-75% after all the deductions (assuming you have health insurance). Best case 75%=$33,750 take home / 12 months = $2812 a month. Once you deduct for the necessities of housing and food, it really doesn't leave a whole lot for gasoline, clothes, utilities, car, insurance, and all the incidental things that come along like license renewals, etc. It's sad, really.

jpttm December 20, 2011
at 2:25pm

In the state of Texas it is not. In somewhere like California or New York where taxes and property values are as much as three times higher, yes. HUD assisted and public housing has added to rental properties being overpriced. Why rent a house to someone in that 35k to 45k bracket, like my wife and I are, for under $600 that we can afford when it can be rented to HUD for $800+. Unlike the entitlement class I won't and can't blame anyone but myself for where we're at.

Kathy M December 20, 2011
at 9:02am

Let the "white wigs" in Washington live on $45,000 for year and then let them decide for themselves.
Yes, it is poor.

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