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Article: School clothing vouchers: State lacks priorities where children are concerned
- Article from:
- Charleston Gazette
- Article date:
- July 26, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2004 Charleston Gazette. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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BY the late 1990s, the average American spent a little over $1,500
on clothes per year, according to Harper's Index, a treasure trove of
statistical trivia. But for nearly 60,000 West Virginia children,
that figure is closer to $150, thanks to the school clothing voucher
program.
The program has been around for several years, but it was expanded
to its present form by Republican Gov. Cecil Underwood in late 1998
(with a little help from child advocates). It allows children of low-
income working families or those receiving public assistance to
purchase $150 worth of new clothing for the school year.
The program has been popular with families, educators,
legislators, businesses, community ...