AACF's federal tax and budget project gives a voice to Arkansas children and families

In Arkansas, 353,402 children - one in four - live in low-income families. Over the last seven years, federal economic policies have made it even more difficult for families to escape poverty and become self-sufficient.

Key programs that support working families and children have been cut significantly relative to inflation since 2002, including Head Start and child care assistance.

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families advocates for a balanced and responsible federal tax and budget system so working families can move forward. In doing so, we:

• Monitor legislative proposals, public debate and discussion about federal tax and budget issues.
• Share our research on the impact of federal tax and budget policies and proposals with the Arkansas Congressional delegation.
• Organize coalitions around federal budget and tax issues, identify community leaders, organizations, and state-wide networks and work to educate and engage them.
• Conduct state-wide public education campaigns on federal tax and budget issues and the federal budget process.

Current Issues

Health reform

Side-by-Side Analysis of Senate and House bills (December 2009)

What's in the House Health Reform Bill for Kids? (November 2009)

Five Questions Advocates Should Ask of Health Reform (June 2009)

2009 Health and Climate Policy Recommendations (July 2009)

Climate change

Care for Our Kids and Climate (November 2009)

2009 Health and Climate Policy Recommendations (July 2009)

Cap and Trade Basics and Helping Low-Income Families (July 2009)

Economic recovery

What's in the Recovery Act for Arkansas Children? (October 2009)

Economic Recovery Act Should Include Low-Income Relief (January 2009)

Welfare Reform Redux: ARRA's Potential to Help Arkansas Families in Financial Crisis (July 2009)

Unemployment Insurance and ARRA: An Overdue Win for Arkansas Families (July 2009)

Federal budget

The President's Budget Priorities for Arkansas Children (May 2009)

Moving Families Forward newsletters

2010: January

2009: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, October, November

2008: April, May, June, September, October