This paper hopes to keep debate about policy from getting off on the wrong foot by identifying three places where the panel's report takes false steps.

This paper first briefly describes the origins and basis of the formal measurement of poverty in the United States.

In comparing the “official” poverty measure and the SPM, we find that overall poverty rates are higher under the SPM.

This paper discusses alternative definitions of income and considerations in measuring poverty.

The discussion in this paper covers both income measurement and poverty definition issues.

Formal measurement of poverty in the United States is less than three decades old.

Research is summarized in the first part of this paper; a summary of the Panel's main recommendations forms the second part.