Alejandra Lopez-Fernandini

The Assets Report 2008

Asset Building — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:03:00 -0400

The purpose of this annual report is to summarize and take stock of the current state of federal policy through an asset-building lens, especially as it affects the asset base of families with lower incomes and fewer resources, which is the focus of our work. The report is divided into three sections. The first is a review of policy developments from the past year related to asset building, highlighting administration action and significant legislation, including assets-related bills introduced in the first year of the 110th Congress; the second is an examination of the President’s budget proposals for Fiscal Year… more

The California Assets and Transaction Account

Asset Building — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:43:00 -0500

In support of state-wide efforts to bring more Californians into the financial mainstream, the State of California could deliver a pre-paid account through the state’s tax filing process. The Assets and Transaction Account, or ATA, would expedite tax filers’ access to their tax refunds and serve as a safe, affordable, and convenient financial tool for lower-income Californians to conduct routine financial transactions and build saving throughout the year.

The state tax filing process presents a unique opportunity to reach and deliver a valuable financial product to millions of under-banked Californians, while also saving the state government millions… more

Alejandra Lopez-Fernandini

Operations — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:42:00 -0500

Policy Analyst, Asset Building ProgramAlejandra Lopez-Fernandini is a Policy Analyst in the Asset Building Program at the New America Foundation. Her primary responsibilities include conducting research and analysis for the program’s Financial Services and Education Project and in support of its efforts in California. Ms. Lopez-Fernandini has a background in anti-hunger, anti-poverty, and community development programs and policies. She has served as a Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow, performed field research in Peru on maternal and child health, and conducted new business development and program evaluation with the Academy for Educational Development. While in graduate school, she focused on social policy and conducted… more

Saving Promises

Asset Building — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:14:00 -0500

For the first time since 1952, the absence of incumbents vying for the nomination of each major party has created a wide open race, one where the stakes are remarkably high. This has contributed to an extended campaign process that will last almost two years by the time the presidential election is held in November of 2008. While some lament the length of this campaign cycle, it has generated a great deal of activity in the policy arena as each candidate has sought to articulate their vision for America’s future and proposed policies that will help take us there. … more