Photo of Sarah Huckabee Sanders beaming next to frowning kids goes viral as child labour laws rolled back
Children under the age of 16 no longer have to obtain permission to work in Arkansas. To mark the day that the child labour law rollback went into effect, social media users circulated a photo of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders wearing a massive smile - with frowning children sitting beside her. The photo was taken on 8 March 2023 when Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an education bill into law. But New York Times reporter Hannah Dreier resurfaced the photo on X – formerly known as Twitter – on Tuesday to highlight another bill that went into effect that day—the “Youth Hiring Act of 2023”—to try to illustrate how kids may be feeling about the new law. The post drew a wide range of reactions from social media users, from criticism to sarcastic comments. Orlando Sentinel reporter J.C. Carnahan wrote sarcastically, “The kids look enthused about it. What could go wrong?” “The kids in this photo look super stoked,” another said similarly, and yet another wrote, “kids look thrilled.” Another user remarked, “Talk about turn back the clock--good ol’ Huck-a-Buck just returned her state to the early 1900s. Way to go!!” One user went so far as to say, “They’d rather put little kids to work (because kids will be glad to get any amount of money) than raise the minimum wage.” Ms Sanders’ communications director spoke to NPR after the governor signed the bill into law in March: “The Governor believes protecting kids is most important, but this permit was an arbitrary burden on parents to get permission from the government for their child to get a job. She added, “All child labor laws that actually protect children still apply and we expect businesses to comply just as they are required to do now.” In 2022, the Department of Labor reported that there were 3,876 minors illegally employed; the highest figure in the past 10 years. A March report by the Economic Policy Institute said that 14 states have either introduced or passed bills that roll back child labour laws. Read More Sarah Huckabee Sanders travels to Europe for 1st overseas trade mission as Arkansas governor Arkansas librarians are suing to block state law that threatens them with jailtime Sarah Huckabee Sanders says she never meant job applicants to write what they admire most about her
2023-08-02 22:52
Here's what's in DeSantis' economic plan
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is positioning himself as the economic defender of the American family, building on his claim that he is protecting them culturally. The 2024 Republican presidential candidate on Monday released a 10-point economic plan, which he describes as a "Declaration of Economic Independence."
2023-08-01 20:56
Takeaways from presidential super PACs' mid-year financial disclosures
Super PACs backing presidential candidates released their semi-annual financial disclosures on Monday, with the group supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' bid for president leading the pack with a $130 million haul.
2023-08-01 13:17
House Republicans aren't done slashing food assistance and fighting over social issues
After clamping down on food stamps in the debt ceiling deal, House Republicans now want to take a whack at WIC, the food assistance program for low-income women, infants and young children.
2023-07-31 19:24
How Biden's SAVE student loan repayment plan can lower your bill
While the Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness program in late June, a separate and significant change to the federal student loan system is moving ahead.
2023-07-31 04:18
First on CNN: Biden administration launches new income-driven student debt repayment plan
The Biden administration is launching a beta website for its new income-driven student loan repayment plan today, officials told CNN, allowing borrowers to begin submitting applications for the program as federal student loan payments are set to resume in October.
2023-07-31 01:49
White House watching rising gas prices 'very carefully'
The White House is watching rising gas prices "very carefully," as President Joe Biden's top advisers are briefing him regularly on the situation, a senior administration official told CNN.
2023-07-29 04:55
Biden takes economic message to Maine as Trump's legal problems persist
Another looming indictment for former President Donald Trump. Another day on the road selling the economy for President Joe Biden.
2023-07-28 17:23
Pence unveils economic proposal that includes eliminating EPA and CFPB
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday released an economic proposal to tackle high inflation that includes cutting government programs, the Environmental Protection Agency and President Joe Biden's incentives aimed at curbing impacts of climate change.
2023-07-27 07:22
With one major strike averted, 'most pro-union president' confronts labor woes
"Mr. President, we got a problem with labor."
2023-07-26 01:54
House Freedom Caucus previews looming appropriations fight
House Republicans are bracing for a bruising showdown with the White House and the US Senate this fall as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy once again will have to decide how far he's willing to go to assuage the demands of the far right members in his ranks.
2023-07-26 01:48
These Covid-19 pandemic-era relief programs are expiring soon
Millions of people are set to lose Covid-19 pandemic-era benefits this fall -- specifically, the student loans payment pause, child care provider stabilization funds, the suspension of work requirements for food stamps and continuous Medicaid coverage.
2023-07-25 17:23