The House and Senate negotiators have reached an agreement on the federal budget, so now it is time to turn our focus to long-term federal efforts to craft policies that support a balanced tax system and ensure that revenues are used to protect programs that lift low-income families out of poverty. This update includes current […]
AACF’s tax and budget team would like to be the first (and, perhaps, only one) to wish you a Happy Tax Day! Sometimes we all forget how important our tax dollars are to the health and well-being of our families and communities. Without them, we could not drive safely down paved roads; drink clean water […]
Arkansas has dramatically increased education funding in recent years in order to meet the state Supreme Court’s mandate to provide adequate and equitable education for all students. However, overall academic achievement still lags behind that of other states and nations, and vast gaps in achievement among students of different income levels and races persist across […]
The clock is ticking in both state and federal legislative bodies on many bills that would affect children and families in Arkansas—and our legislators need to hear from you. Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families’ tax and budget team has highlighted a few of these important bills below. Please contact us if you have any […]
AACF worked with our federal delegation on elements of the stimulus package, which now moves to state implementation. AACF will now work to keep track of stimulus priorities and decisions at the state level and also provide continued feedback to state and federal officials about its impact. Now AACF’s federal work turns to the federal […]
The burden of paying for statewide programs and services falls disproportionately upon low- and middle-income families – as well as small businesses that operate only in Arkansas. Meanwhile, many large corporations that take full advantage of Arkansas highways, school s, economic development incentives, and other services are no t paying their fair share. Because of […]
As we work to move forward, it is now more important than ever to advocate for tax policies and spending measures that lift our low-income families out of poverty as they are the ones hardest hit by the current economic downturn. This update includes a summary of three such important pieces of federal and state […]
AACF is closely following several important pieces of tax and budget legislation that impact low- families now that the Arkansas State Legislature and the U.S. Congress have reconvened, As we move forward, it’s more important than ever to advocate for tax policies and spending measures that lift our low-income families out of poverty. They are […]
An Update on the Tax and Budget System Now that President Bush has signed the financial rescue legislation called the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, child advocates are waiting to see what the $700 billion dollar bailout will mean for low- and moderate-income families. As we work to move forward, it is more important than ever […]
An Update on the Tax and Budget System Now that the Democratic and Republican Conventions are over, Congress is set to return to work on September 8. There are several pieces of legislation that benefit children and families that we hope will receive action between now and the election.