Ohio approved $600 million to build a football stadium. But couldn't find the heart to give families a tax credit that would have given the neediest about $250 a month.
Let that sink in.
In 2021, 36 million families nationally received monthly checks through the expanded Child Tax Credit. The result? Child poverty dropped to a record low of 5.2%, writes @Beckgale via @The74.
Families didn't splurge. They bought groceries. Paid utilities. Kept the lights on. These were nurses, police officers, and utility workers — people with good jobs who still couldn't make ends meet.
Then the credit expired. And child poverty climbed back up.
Here's what's happening now:
• 22 states have created their own version of a child tax credit to fill the gap
• Research shows state-level credits are working, pulling families out of poverty
• This isn't a partisan issue — red, purple AND blue states are pushing for it
But the new federal version excludes the families who need it most by limiting refundability. And Ohio chose to nix the tax credit, the same year it approved millions for the stadium. (Note: A court this week temporarily blocked use of the stadium funds until a lawsuit is resolved.)
Instead, the state adopted a flat income tax, which actually lowered taxes for the wealthy.
State lawmakers have the power to act right now, and many are. Minnesota implemented a $1,750 per child credit and is on track to cut child poverty by one-third.
Your state could be next. Is your state doing enough to support working families?
#childtaxcredit
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