News Round Up: October 1, 2018

Here are some highlights from the past week’s news and upcoming events on family tax credit issues.

Top Story: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass “Tax Reform 2.0,” which would make the individual tax cuts enacted under 2017 tax reform – including an increased Child Tax Credit (CTC) for higher-income families – permanent. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) warned that the plan “doubles down on the fundamental flaws of the 2017 tax law” by skewing tax breaks towards the wealthy and weakening revenue. (The Washington Post, CBPP)

  • New Jersey Assembly member Harold Wirths (R) introduced legislation to increase the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 35 percent to 80 percent of the federal credit. The bill is now with the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration. (New Jersey Legislature)
  • We blogged about a new Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT® policy report, Opening Doors for Young Parents, which examines the barriers young parents face and recommends policy solutions such as lowering the EITC’s age limits and expanding the CTC to help these families achieve financial stability. (TCWF)
  • We blogged about MDRC’s new report, Boosting the Earned Income Tax Credit for Singles, which found that expanding the EITC for workers without dependent children can help to reduce severe poverty and increase child support payments. (TCWF)
  • Missed our September 25 Capitol Hill policy briefing on expanding the EITC for workers without dependent children? Watch the full video here.