August Recess Congressional Outreach – Full Steam Ahead!

We at NCTC can’t believe it’s already August, either. While this summer has been flying past, we’ve been gearing-up our advocates, preparing them to meet with their elected officials while they are in their home districts during the August recess. If you’re not already part of those important plans, we strongly encourage you to join us.

There’s a lot at stake for working families right now. This December will mean expiring tax provisions – ranging from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, to more recent improvements in the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, to the very existence of the American Opportunity Tax Credit  – unless Congress works to extend them.

This is in addition to the steep, across-the-board “sequestration” cuts as enacted in last year’s Budget Control Act that are scheduled to take place on Jan. 1, 2013. NCTC is in it for the long haul, acting to make sure that deficit reduction doesn’t disproportionately hurt low- and moderate-income families, and that tax reform is fair and balanced.

But we can’t do it all alone – we need the help of strong advocates in the field to speak up for the low-income families who need it the most. We need your help. Will you reach out to your members of Congress during August?

A coordinated effort from many VITA partners across the country will send Congress a strong message: protect low- and moderate-income families, the core of our nation’s economy.

We’ve created a sample meeting request letter to help you schedule meetings, and fact sheets and talking points to prepare you for outreach. But the stories and experiences you can share from your local community are the most important things for policymakers to hear.

If you’re interested in setting up a meeting, please email or call Gail Parson at (312) 346-6282 x297.

By Jennifer Thall, Coordinator of Civic Engagement

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