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Dear Friend,

On Wednesday the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee will hold a public hearing about two proposals for a Child Tax Credit. We'll be there and you can help us advocate for this policy! Creating a Child Tax Credit will help offset the high and growing cost of raising a child in Connecticut.

Also this week, we kick off our Roadmap to Fully Funded Communities monthly event series. Thanks to overwhelming enthusiasm, the first event (in Bridgeport) is at capacity -- so, we invite you to please register for one of our other stops at our roadshow! At these events, we'll share our research that explains the fiscal controls. Our proposals to fix them could free up hundreds of millions of dollars that can support children, families and communities.

Read on for details!

Action Alert!

Support the Connecticut Child Tax Credit

You can help end child poverty in Connecticut by advocating for a CT Child Tax Credit!

The Finance Committee is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 11 am. Legislators from across Connecticut want to hear from advocates like you on solutions to end childhood poverty. The deadline to register to speak is Feb. 25, at 3 pm. Details on how to do so are below.

Included in this hearing are H.B. 5986 and S.B. 740, both of which would establish a refundable state-level Child Tax Credit. We strongly support a Child Tax Credit because the research says it will help eradicate poverty and advance family economic security.

Here are some talking points to help you write a message for legislators:

The most effective way to advocate for the creation of a permanent Connecticut Child Tax Credit is to testify at the hearing. You can also submit written testimony or contact your legislator directly.

SIGN UP TO TESTIFY:

You get to choose to speak in person or from the comfort of your own home or office.
The meeting on Feb. 26, 2025 will start at 11AM in Room 2E of the Legislative Office Building (300 Capitol Ave #5100, Hartford) and via Zoom.
The deadline to register to speak is Feb. 25 at 3 PM. Register here. All registrants will receive a Zoom link.
The speaker order will be posted on Feb. 25 at 6 PM.

SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY:

Submit written testimony here (ideally before the Feb. 25 hearing). Choose "2/26" from the drop-down hearing date field and then choose SB 740 and HB 5986 in the bills field.

WRITING AND DELIVERING YOUR TESTIMONY

Begin your remarks with "Co-Chairs Senator Fonfara and Representative Horn, Ranking Members Senator Fazio and Representative Polletta, and honorable members of the committee."
Introduce yourself by stating your name, town of residence, and the number and title of the bill on which you're speaking.
Indicate whether you support the bill, oppose it, or are offering suggestions to improve it, and then explain your reasoning.
If you give oral testimony you will have three minutes to speak. You may also be asked follow-up questions by committee members so wait before you sign off of Zoom.

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR
You may also email or call your legislator to tell them why you support the creation of a CT Child Tax Credit. Find your legislator here.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Read our research: Supporting the Economic Well-Being of Connecticut's Children: An Overview of the Child Tax Credit or watch a presentation on the research from our 23rd Tax & Budget Forum.

Thank you for supporting children and families! Children don't have lobbyists. They have YOU and Connecticut Voices for Children.

Wondering why Connecticut has billions of dollars in budget surpluses and yet we can’t better support children and families who need help?

Our first event, in Bridgeport, is sold out! We'll shed light on how Connecticut can raise revenue to invest in all of our children and families through responsible adjustments to the fiscal controls (or what politicians call “fiscal guardrails”).

Thanks to our cohosts: Alliance for Community Empowerment, Bridgeport Generation Now, CT Citizen Action Group, Make the Road, and United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut.

Here are three ways you can get involved:
1. Read and share our fiscal controls research (summary here).
2. Donate or sponsor our events to help defray the cost of child care, food and translation at these free events.
3. Join us at the roadshow! We'll visit Torrington in March and New Haven in April.

Donate Now!