​Dear Friend,

On Tax Day, I asked that you dream with us and think about the world as you hope for it to be, and we made small but meaningful steps in Connecticut this legislative session.

But the urgency of now is too important to rest. Politicians in Washington, DC are crafting budget bills that will make life harder and more expensive for everyday Connecticut residents. These cruel policies are in service of enriching the most powerful people in the country. 

This is, simply put, unfair.  We shouldn't let this happen. However, if it does, Connecticut can right some of these wrongs by adjusting the state fiscal controls even more and raising taxes on the top 1% here at home.

To be clear, this isn't about punishing people with higher incomes. This is about fairness and our collective success. This is about a future that's bright for all of us, not just the privileged and lucky few. This is about restoring faith in our government institutions and rebuilding the American Dream. 

We believe a better future is possible. But it won't just happen. 

We've been in coalition with nonprofit organizations across the country advocating for policy changes in the Congressional and White House budget proposals. The U.S. Senate will release their final bill in the coming days. In full transparency, it will likely include many of the harmful provisions that are in the House version. 

But this isn't a reason to give up, it's a reason to do more. 

We know that our efforts have gotten members of Congress to remove the most egregious policies. We are proving that collective action works AND we need your help to keep going. We need you in the fight with us. 

If you're asking, "what can I do?" please consider donating to a nonprofit that engages in state and federal policy advocacy. If money is tight, consider sending that email or making that call to a legislator when asked. When confronted with misinformation, correct it. Whatever the action—the point is to act, now. 

Opportunity doesn't just happen, nor is it evenly distributed. Opportunity is created through intentional acts. Our future depends on you. 

In solidarity,

Emily Byrne
Executive Director

DID YOU KNOW?

The U.S. House and U.S. Senate budget proposals have a lesser talked about tax giveaway for individuals making donations to private school voucher groups. Both proposals include a 100% (dollar-for-dollar) tax credit for donations capped at $5,000 or 10% AGI (whichever is greater). If enacted, this would be unprecedented tax policy. (The House version allows for a maximum reimbursement of $5 billion nationwide and the Senate version allows for $4 billion.) 

Incredibly and more concerning is when donations to these voucher groups are made through corporate stock. The Wall Street Journal wrote about how this proposal has the potential to be lucrative for some. “Consider someone who bought a stock for $100 that is now worth $1,100. Selling that stock would trigger capital gains taxes of up to $238. But under the bill, he could donate the $1,100 stock to a scholarship-granting organization. The government would give $1,100 back and he wouldn’t pay capital-gains taxes. He could then buy the same $1,100 stock on the open market. The result? He’s better off than when he started, spending nothing to erase a potential capital gains tax liability.”

Meanwhile, both the House and Senate budget proposals seek to take away food assistance and healthcare coverage from children and families. Let’s be clear: This isn’t about waste, fraud, and abuse in government. This is about cruelty and giving tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and corporate interests. Politicians in Washington, DC are hoping that we won’t notice but we do. See below for ways to get involved.

Children need lobbyists. YOU can help CT Voices speak up for them.

We're working to end child poverty and create family economic security. We can't do this work alone—we need your help. 

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Share our emails with friends and family!
• Let your Congressional members and state legislators know how proposed federal funding cuts will impact you or your community;
• Let your State legislators know which policies are important to you in advance of the special legislative session;
• Join our 'Roadmap to Fully Funded Communities' events! Learn how modifying the State's fiscal controls can support Connecticut's children, families and communities;
• Donate to support our work. We can't do this work without you.

Thank you for being a voice for children!

Fully Funded Communities Event - Stamford

Connecticut children and families are struggling, even before proposed major federal funding cuts limit access to food, healthcare and more.

Connecticut will soon be faced with a choice: We can let these cuts harm our residents, or we can choose to support and protect children and families.

To do so we'll need reforms to the fiscal controls, which limit how much Connecticut can spend on people and programs.

Join us to learn more in Stamford on Thursday June 26!

We'll share our research on how the fiscal controls limit the State's ability to invest in children, families, and communities, and what we can do about it. 

We'll provide food, child care, and translation at this free event. RSVP to help us plan accordingly.

You can sponsor our events to help defray the cost. 

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