News Round Up: June 24, 2019
Here are some highlights from the past week’s news and upcoming events on family tax credit issues:
Top Story: The House Ways and Means Committee advanced the “Economic Mobility Act of 2019,” which would make the Child Tax Credit (CTC) fully refundable; increase the value of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for workers without dependent children; and expand the Child and Dependent Care Credit. The legislation now heads to the House floor for consideration. (USA Herald)
- The Maine Legislature passed a bill to more than double the size of the state’s EITC. The legislation now heads to Governor Janet Mills (D) for her signature. (Maine Legislature)
- The California State Assembly passed legislation to conform parts of the state’s tax code to the 2017 Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The expected revenue will be used to fund a large state EITC expansion within Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) budget proposal. The legislation now heads to the governor for his signature. (California Legislature)
- Researchers at the University of Michigan and Syracuse University found that increases to the EITC are linked to improved housing outcomes for single mothers and children, including reduced housing cost burdens and a decrease in instances of “doubling up,” or, living with additional, nonnuclear-family adults. (Population Association of America 2019)
- We blogged about the 2019 KIDS COUNT data book, which recommends expanding state EITCs and CTCs to improve child well-being. (TCWF)
- We blogged about the Taxpayer First Act of 2019 that includes a measure to make Volunteer Income Tax Assistance permanent and increases the program’s funding limit to $30 million. (TCWF)