Latest news with #BabyBonus
AsiaOne
28-04-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
'Not an easy sandwich to bite': Pasir Ris-Changi GRC new face Valerie Lee to advocate for caregivers of parents and children, Singapore News
Singapore's sandwich generation needs more support, said People's Action Party's (PAP) Pasir Ris-Changi GRC candidate and newcomer Valerie Lee, expressing her intention to advocate for caregivers of ageing parents and children. Speaking at a rally for the constituency held at Tampines Meridian Junior College on Monday (April 28), Lee said: "Today, I don't just come before you as a political candidate. I stand here as a daughter, a parent, and a working Singaporean just like you. "So who do I want to advocate for? The sandwich generation. Caught in the middle caring for both ageing parents and young children, you hold everything together — often invisibly — juggling family, career, caregiving and so much more." "But the truth is, this is not an easy sandwich to bite into. Our family structures have changed. Family sizes have gotten smaller over time, and meeting these demands are increasingly challenging," she added. Lee continued that in speaking to residents, she has gathered that while the government has good initiatives that have improved over time, people need more support. Citing the Baby Bonus scheme, monthly caps for childcare fees and the Proximity Housing Grant among other support systems that have been rolled out and enhanced to reduce the burden of parents and caregivers alike, Lee said: "But we can do better, and we must go further because the situation is evolving." She said that more flexibility is needed at workplaces, not just in terms of policies but also a culture "where it's okay to say I need to bring my child to the doctor and not feel guilty about it". Lee also stressed the importance of having more affordable and accessible elder care and child care near homes as well as mental health support. "Helping the often-overlooked sandwich class is not a selfish move, it's strategic. It's how we build a Singapore that sustains itself across generations," she said. "Let's build a future where caregiving is respected and not hidden, where parenting and elder care is not a lonely road, but a shared journey, where being sandwiched doesn't mean being squeezed, it means being supported." Maliki Osman cautions against 'greater divisiveness' in politics The rally also saw speeches by the rest of PAP's slate for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC — consisting of Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Desmond Tan and Sharael Taha. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who helmed the former Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, and former East Coast GRC MP Maliki Osman were also present at the event. Both have also recently announced their retirement from politics. Indranee thanked SM Teo in her speech for his guidance and openness to her ideas during the former's early days in politics, recalling various anecdotes. "This is what the PAP does. It is willing to work with people, to be open, to hear your ideas and then to implement [them] so that there is something better for everyone," she said. Dr Maliki and SM Teo also addressed residents and supporters during the rally. SM Teo spoke in Malay, Mandarin and English, drawing a huge crowd to the barricade in front of the stage which erupted into cheers. Dr Maliki touched on the recent discussion about race and religion mixing with politics, stating that race and religion entering Singapore's political space will only lead to "greater divisiveness" amongst communities. The PAP's team for the constituency will be going up against a Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) slate helmed by chairman Desmond Lim, comprising Abu Mohamed, Harminder Pal Singh and Chia Yun Kai. Chia had previously introduced himself, largely online, as part of a new Most Valuable Party but was revealed as a member of SDA's slate for Pasir Ris-Changi on Nomination Day (April 23). For our GE2025 microsite, visit here [[nid:717339]]
Fox News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Trump ‘Blinks,' the Media Say, Softening Rhetoric on Tariffs and the Fed
Howie Kurtz on Trump softening his tone trade tariffs and Fed Chairman, Sec. Hegseth denying he ordered a Pentagon 'makeup' studio and Trump blaming Ukraine again for no peace deal. Follow Howie on Twitter: @HowardKurtz For more #MediaBuzz click here Baby Bonus? John Toldi
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Baby Bonus in the U.S.: How much could it cost and will eligibility extend beyond new mothers?
A Response to Demographic Decline Live Events Financial Impact: Could Reach Nearly $18 Billion Annually Eligibility Criteria Remain Undefined Broader Policy Push on Family Growth FAQs What is the Baby Bonus proposal? Who would receive the $5,000 bonus? A proposed 'Baby Bonus' of $5,000 per child is under consideration by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump , as the government explores incentives to counter the country's record-low fertility initiative, though in its preliminary stages, could have significant fiscal implications, potentially costing the federal government billions annually if widely proposed bonus would provide $5,000 to American mothers upon childbirth, functioning either as a direct payment or as a supplement to the existing child tax credit Trump, when asked about the initiative on Tuesday, responded positively, stating, 'It sounds like a good idea to me', as quoted in a report by U.S. recorded just over 3.59 million births in 2023, the lowest number in recent history, as per the Centers for Disease Control and administration sees the proposed incentive as a possible countermeasure to the ongoing demographic decline, particularly among women aged 20 to 39—a group that has seen sharp fertility rate reductions in recent years due to economic pressures, delayed family planning, and healthcare the proposal become law and apply universally, estimates suggest the Baby Bonus could cost the U.S. government approximately $17.9 billion per year, based on the 2023 birth the final cost would vary annually, directly tied to the national birth funding source for the program remains unclear. Officials have floated the idea of reallocating resources from the Department of Government Efficiency, which has enacted deep cuts across federal economic advisers have raised concerns about potential inflationary effects and long-term budgetary present, no formal guidelines have been released detailing eligibility standards for the is presumed that the primary condition would be U.S. citizenship and the act of giving birth, but officials have not confirmed whether there would be income thresholds, residency durations, or citizenship verification protocols Speaker Mike Johnson referred to the concept as a 'creative idea,' emphasizing the need for further legislative President JD Vance, who has long advocated for expanded child tax credits, endorsed the $5,000 amount in principle, stating that Congress would be responsible for determining the final framework, as mentioned in the USA Today isn't the first time the Trump administration has hinted at financial incentives for families. In early 2025, the president backed a proposal to provide $5,000 payments to taxpaying households, though it did not his 2024 campaign, Trump often called for a 'new baby boom,' tying population growth to national advisor Elon Musk, who has voiced concerns about 'civilizational collapse' due to falling birth rates, is believed to be a key influence behind the push. Musk, himself a father of over a dozen children, has framed the bonus as part of a broader cultural and economic Baby Bonus is a proposed initiative by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration that would provide a $5,000 benefit for each newborn child. It's designed as a financial incentive to encourage higher birth rates in response to the country's demographic specific eligibility criteria have not been finalized, it is expected that American mothers who give birth would be the primary recipients. The bonus could be distributed as a direct payment or added to the existing child tax credit.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Baby Bonus' is back with a new name after Baltimore mayor, City Council sued to stop it
BALTIMORE — Child wellness advocates are working to revive a proposal that could provide financial incentives for new parents in Baltimore City. The original 'Baltimore Baby Bonus' proposal failed last August when the Maryland Supreme Court ruled an effort to let voters decide whether to amend the Baltimore City Charter by giving at least $1,000 to new parents did not fall under 'proper charter material.' The decision ultimately validated a lawsuit filed by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and the Baltimore City Council, who argued residents lacked the authority to enact an initiative so closely resembling city-sponsored legislation. Now, advocacy groups like the Maryland Child Alliance (MCA) are trying to get a new amendment on the 2026 election ballot. Known as the 'Baltimore Baby Fund,' this effort comes with a stated goal of reducing child poverty and 'enhancing the economic stability of families with newborns in Baltimore City,' according to an MCA news release. According to MCA Outreach Chair Julia Ellis, the organization has intentionally made its proposal more vague — mostly by eliminating explicit support for $1,000 direct cash payments — to ensure further compliance with the law. Ellis said the name change from 'Baby Bonus' to 'Baby Fund' reflects this legal restructuring. ''Baby Bonus' really refers to a cash payment, and at this time, we just wanted to be more accurate about what this really is — it's a fund,' Ellis told The Baltimore Sun. 'We don't know exactly how it will be used and distributed … ultimately that will be decided by City Council.' Ellis said some aspects of the Baby Fund proposal are unchanged from the Baby Bonus, such as the 0.03% 'mandatory annual appropriation' property value funding structure borrowed from the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund. She hopes strong public support for the proposal — last year's push for a ballot amendment received about 14,000 signatures out of a required 10,000 — will drive elected leaders to introduce legislation in support of MCA's efforts. 'We're hoping that because we have addressed the specific [legal] concerns, that the City Council and the mayor's office will not stand in our way,' Ellis said, adding that MCA is 'not backing down.' City Council President Zeke Cohen said he has had 'productive' discussions about the proposal with child health advocates, though he declined to say if the council would join another potential lawsuit against the effort. Mayor Brandon Scott's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the proposal. 'I've had some productive conversations with the folks from the Baby Bonus effort, and I really appreciate their intent around reducing childhood poverty … I will just say that we share a goal of reducing childhood poverty,' Cohen said. Estimates on last year's Baby Bonus proposal suggested the initiative would cost about $7 million annually given the appropriation funding structure. The city is looking at a $14.4 million deficit in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, according to the mayor's office. ---------
CBS News
07-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Baltimore Baby Bonus proposal could make a return
The Baltimore 'Baby Bonus' proposal could return on Maryland's 2026 ballot. The proposed ballot measure supported by the Maryland Child Alliance would provide $1,000 to new parents in Baltimore. While the measure gained traction in 2024, it was ruled unconstitutional by the Maryland Supreme Court. As a result, it was barred from appealing on the ballot. "Last month, the Baltimore Baby Bonus team filed a new petition, now titled the Baltimore Baby Fund, with the City Board Elections. The proposed amendment would establish a dedicated fund used exclusively for enhancing the economic stability of families and newborns in Baltimore City." A social media post by the Baltimore Baby Bonus fund on Thursday read in part. Why was the proposal ruled unconstitutional? The Baltimore City Council ruled the bill unconstitutional before the ruling was appealed, arguing that it circumvented legislators. The council also said the city did not have the funds to support the measure. Under the previous proposal, the Baby Bonus program would be funded by 0.03% of the city's property value, appropriated from the city's general budget. Proponents estimated this would cost $7 million annually. The city, however, argues that the program is unaffordable, adding to the financial strain on the city's budget. The new proposal is set to meet the standards set by the Supreme Court last year, according to the bill's organizers. The Maryland Child Alliance would need 10,000 signatures from registered city voters to place a question on the ballot.
