As jobless benefit applications rise slightly, the connections to other challenges we face must be considered (“Slightly more Americans apply for jobless benefits last week,” Associated Press, Nov. 10). Affordable housing, child care costs, and poverty all have solutions waiting to be passed that can help families through this time of crisis.
The expanded child tax credit was proven to work, slashing child poverty by 40 percent and helping families have enough for both food and rent. This ladder out of poverty needs to be renewed.
A renters’ tax credit modeled after the child tax credit could help millions of families who pay more than 50 percent of their income in rent. Both tax credits would help with paying for child care.
So, no matter who has been elected to representative in the 3rd Congressional District, we need to call on them to support passing these programs that give families hope and a road to self-sufficiency.
