The extended Child Tax Credit kicks in tomorrow. This is a big, big BFD. We need to message on two fronts: first, to be sure everyone knows about it, because there are families who have not filed taxes for years, and they need to file in order to receive their dollars; and second, because we must get out the message that Democrats Deliver.
I’ve posted below what I’ve submitted to our local paper as a letter to the editor.
I also corresponded with some of our local reporters, suggesting an article with a human-interest slant, and I’ve posted below that email, as well.
Any and all of you are welcome to use, modify, extend, and so on, any way you want: LTEs, social media, party newsletters, and more. Spin my dross into gold. Please.
It’s not plagiarism; it’s flattery. Oh, and note I used my Oregon/CD4 Senators and Representative. You might need to change that!
My LTE:
On Thursday, July 15, American working families get a huge tax cut. On that day, initial payments go out to 92% of American families with children: $250-$300 per month, per child, so that a family with three kids, aged two, four, and ten, will get $10.200 per year. (For that family it's $850/month, on the 15th of every month, until the family files its 2021 tax-year taxes, at which time the family will receive the rest of the $10.200 in one lump sum. Keep in mind that this is actual money paid to families, not some mere tax deduction. It is real money. For real people. More than $10,000 per year for that family of five. This is a huge tax cut for families who have not benefited from tax cuts that previously went mostly to millionaires, billionaires and big corporations. The expanded child tax credit affects even people who have not had to file taxes in the past, or have little or no income. (Links below). This tax cut encourages a generational transformation, lifting almost half of poor American children out of poverty--childhood poverty that breeds adult poverty, educational failure, decreased productivity, disease, crime, incarceration, and premature death. Until this week, America has had a dismal, shameful record of childhood poverty--far worse than other wealthy nations. No more; this tax cut will change American lives for the better, for generations. What it is, is a legitimate shot at the American dream, for families that never really had hope of achieving it. This tax cut/tax credit is part of the American Rescue Plan. Representative Peter DeFazio voted for it; Senators Merkley and Wyden voted for it. President Biden signed it. And not a single Republican voted for it. Details in links below. https://www.whitehouse.gov/child-tax-credit/ https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021 https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/938
My email to local reporters and editor:
May I suggest a potential article for your consideration? The topic lies at the intersection of economics, government, public policy, public health, and child welfare--all with a human-interest angle at the local level.On 15 July, payments begin on the extended Child Tax Credit. This will be a boon to working class and middle class families with children throughout the county, and will affect not just their lives, but local business, as well.It is important that people know that this is coming, and that people who have not filed taxes in the recent past will want to file because that is how the IRS will know where to send checks, and how much.I have submitted a letter to the editor about this, but, my letter does contain partisan material that you may wish to either ignore or frame differently. I'd love to read on your pages how affected families react.My LTE, and some links are below.Thank you for your consideration.(Name, address, phone)Submitted yesterday, July 12th:On Thursday, July 15, American working families get a huge tax cut. On that day, initial payments go out to 92% of American families with children: $250-$300 per month, per child, so that a family with three kids, aged two, four, and ten, will get $10.200 per year. (For that family it's $850/month, on the 15th of every month, until the family files its 2021 tax-year taxes, at which time the family will receive the rest of the $10.200 in one lump sum. Keep in mind that this is actual money paid to families, not some mere tax deduction. It is real money. For real people. More than $10,000 per year for that family of five. This is a huge tax cut for families who have not benefited from tax cuts that previously went mostly to millionaires, billionaires and big corporations. The expanded child tax credit affects even people who have not had to file taxes in the past, or have little or no income. (Links below). This tax cut encourages a generational transformation, lifting almost half of poor American children out of poverty--childhood poverty that breeds adult poverty, educational failure, decreased productivity, disease, crime, incarceration, and premature death. Until this week, America has had a dismal, shameful record of childhood poverty--far worse than other wealthy nations. No more; this tax cut will change American lives for the better, for generations. What it is, is a legitimate shot at the American dream, for families that never really had hope of achieving it. This tax cut/tax credit is part of the American Rescue Plan. Representative Peter DeFazio voted for it; Senators Merkley and Wyden voted for it. President Biden signed it. And not a single Republican voted for it. Details in links below. https://www.whitehouse.gov/child-tax-credit/ https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021 https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/938