News Round Up: September 9, 2019
Here are some highlights from the past week’s news and upcoming events on family tax credit issues:
Top Story: As part of his presidential campaign, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) unveiled his “Equal Must Be Equal” education plan that focuses on improving education outcomes for all American children. The plan includes proposals to increase investment in children ages zero to five, including the proposed American Family Act, which would increase the Child Tax Credit (CTC) from $2,000 to $3,600 per year for families with children ages zero to five and to $3,000 per year for families with children ages six to sixteen. (Bennet for America)
- The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released new data on how the Working Families Tax Relief Act, a proposal to significantly strengthen the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and CTC, would benefit teachers and students in each state. (CBPP)
- The Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) released a policy brief on how new policies in the state have moved the state toward a more equitable tax code for low-income Mainers, including the recent expansion of the state’s EITC. (MECEP)
- Michigan State Representative Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) introduced legislation to lower the age threshold for the state’s EITC from 25 to 18. The legislation was referred to the Committee on Tax Policy. (Michigan Advance)
- Arnold Hamilton, editor of The Oklahoma Observer, urged state lawmakers to take a step toward creating a more equitable tax code for low-income workers by restoring refundability to the state’s EITC when they return for the 2020 legislative session. (The Journal Record)