“When the family collapses, it is the children that are usually damaged. When it happens on a massive scale, the community itself is crippled." 

Lyndon B. Johnson. 
 

The economic outlook for tens of thousands of working families in Washington appears tenuous. High fuel and food costs, increasing unemployment, and the ongoing housing crisis could further destabilize families already struggling to make ends meet.  

During the last two legislative sessions, Senate Democrats passed bills to help families better adapt to the rapidly changing economy. The intent of this policy brief is to better understand who these families are, where they are, and what can be done to ensure their varied needs are addressed.

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