News Round Up: June 1, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately affecting low-income communities and exacerbating economic inequality across the country. Throughout this crisis, TCWF will compile news, legislation, and research on how tax credits and other income-boosting policies can provide much-needed relief for the hardest-hit communities:
Top Story: Elaine Maag, principal research associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, analyzed the proposed changes to the federal Child Tax Credit in the recently passed HEROES Act, and encouraged Congress to focus on making the credit fully refundable to better target help to very low-income families. (Forbes)
- A new report from the Center for American Progress outlined the real-world impact of gerrymandering on children, such as how it drives a lack of legislative support for effective policies like the Earned Income Tax Credit. (Center for American Progress)
- Lindsey Hallingquest, development associate at the Economic Security Project, argued that a one-time federal stimulus check is not enough for Black communities who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic at higher rates on top of existing racial inequities. She urged Congress to provide these communities with more support through monthly direct payments of $2,000. (Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity)
- The Urban Institute released new data that highlights the racial disparities of the COVID-19’s impact on working families’ financial security. (Urban Institute)
- Emily Vyhnanek, manager of the Working Families Tax Credit campaign, and Margaret Babayan, policy analyst at the Washington State Budget & Policy Center, urged lawmakers to invest in workers and offer a one-time statewide stimulus check to Washington working families. (South Seattle Emerald)