Posted by Tara Manthey on January 16th 2009
AACF urges Congress to include funds for states, food stamp boost and help with family child care costs.
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families today urged Arkansas Congressional leaders to keep low-income residents in mind as they consider a stimulus bill.
Yesterday, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives released a proposal for the economic recovery package. As Congress considers it, AACF urges lawmakers to remember that putting money into the hands of people struggling to cover housing, transportation and food needs would be the fastest way to invigorate the economy while stabilizing families.
“Economists tell us the most efficient way to reverse the current decline is to increase demand by putting money in the hands of people who will spend it quickly,” said Candice Smith, AACF federal budget and tax policy director. “The people who are most likely to do so are those who need to cover basic expenses such as housing, food and transportation.”
AACF supports:
• Providing $100 billion to states through a temporary increase in the federal Medicaid match. With this support, Arkansas will be better able to maintain funding for Medicaid and other key programs. It will also help ensure that we can better meet the health care needs of our most vulnerable people as we ride out the economic recession.
• A $20 billion boost to the federal food stamp program to keep families fed and support local economies. One dollar in food stamp assistance generates about $1.80 in economic activity.
• Lowering the child tax credit income limit to $3,000 annually to help part-time working parents. Many of the parents who would qualify under the lowered threshold work in low-paying jobs. Many provide critical services, such as caring for the elderly or teaching young children. These are families that often live paycheck-to-paycheck and would quickly put money back into the economy.