Congress can help families make ends meet
Posted on 09/14/15 by Kalitha Williams in Consumer Protection + Asset Building
More than ever, American families struggle to afford the basics, even though they’re working. Fortunately, Congress in 2009 expanded some tax credits that helped more of these working families. These credits bring billions of federal dollars into the Ohio economy. We have a chance to make them permanent.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) are two of our nation’s strongest anti-poverty tools. They promote work and help families build a secure future. They let working people keep more of what they earn and provide the basics for their families.
Nationwide, millions of families will sink deeper into poverty if Congress does not act. Recently released estimates from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) show that if that happens, the budgets of 400,000 Ohio families will suffer. More workers will struggle to pay for basics like groceries, childcare and reliable transportation to work.
These credits only go to families with a working parent. According to CBPP, Ohio workers who would suffer if these credits are cut include 79,000 office administrators, 38,000 construction workers, 64,000 food preparers and servers, and 68,000 healthcare workers.
We should not undo the progress we’ve made. Members of Congress have a chance this year to make key provisions of these pro-work tax credits permanent. By doing so, they will help more working families get on the path to achieving the American dream.