Civil Rights News: PA Voter ID Back in Court; Women Facing Retirement Challenges; Student Debt Continues to Soar

Compiled by Shannon Housley, a Fall intern at The Leadership Conference Education Fund

Witnesses to Detail Barriers to Pennsylvania Voter ID Law

USA Today
The notoriously tough Pennsylvania voter photo ID law returns to court today. Voters from the surrounding area will be brought in by attorneys to testify on how they have been burdened by this 6-month-old piece of legislation. Today the law demanding photo ID at the polls will be reconsidered by Common Wealth Court Judge Robert Simpson. Simpson previously denied injunction of the ID law but the state’s Supreme Court has advised him to evaluate the law’s impact on disenfranchisement with tougher standards this time around. He is advised to stop this law by next Tuesday if its burden on minority groups cannot be disproved.

Women Face Host of Obstacles to Retirement

USA Today
Christine Dugas
In this particularly strenuous economic time, retirement and its preparation pose increased difficulties for women based on their unique experiences with the gender pay gap, unemployment, personal savings and health insurance. Studies show that the gender pay gap is going strong. During this recession women encountered the “double shift,” where they earn less pay and do so for longer, given their increased life spans relative to men. Living longer and paying higher insurance costs while collecting fewer Social Security benefits, women nearing retirement are facing the biggest challenges.

Student Debt Hits Record 1 in 5 U.S. Households

USA Today
By Hope Yen
Student debt and college enrollment continue to increase, hand-in-hand. While enrollment continues, tuition prices at most school increase as well, only adding to the indebtedness of students. And the rate of increase has only gone up since the recession, studies show. Further contributing to indebtedness of graduates, is the fact that fewer are able to start full-time careers and either choose to continue their education or trying to make ends meet with part-time jobs. Thehighest rates of debt can be seen as most pronounced at the two extremes among income levels. While both extremes are paying more than previously for education, the bottom 20 percent is seeing itself in more debt while the top 20 percent is seeing its debt level out with respect to higher income.