The Power of the Earned Income Tax Credit

President Ronald Reagan called the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) “the best anti-poverty, the best pro-family, the best job creation measure to come out of Congress.” What role do state lawmakers play in drawing down more of these under-used stimulus dollars?

On February 15th, 2011, the New America Foundation and Step Up California hosted a lunchtime discussion of these issues and more in recognition of February 2011 as Step Up California month.
 
State and local budgets are shrinking. Unemployment is high, especially in California’s rural communities. And 30% of Californians have no personal financial safety net. These times require innovative and proactive solutions.

The report Left on the Table found that more than $1 billion in credit and stimulus dollars went unclaimed last year in California. State lawmakers, local leaders, community groups, and the IRS have acted on the report’s conclusions-and now is the time to support and expand effective ways to increase the state’s share of these important resources.
 
During the event, report author Professor Antonio Avalos explained the EITC’s essential role in creating local jobs, Lori Declarador highlighted a groundbreaking recent IRS outreach effort to 46,000 Californians, and Sean Casey of the Family Economic Security Partnership shared how his coalition used the Left on the Table research to bring in money, revitalize the local economy, and reduce poverty.

Co-sponsored with the Step Up California Coalition.

Participants

Opening Remarks
The Hon. Carol Liu (D-Glendale)
Chair, Health and Human Services Committee
California State Senate

Featured Speakers
Antonio Avalos
Associate Professor of Economics, CSU Fresno
Author, “Left on the Table”

Sean Casey
Chair, Family Economic Security Partnership
Executive Director, First 5 Contra Costa

Lorie Declarador
Sacramento Outreach & Education Specialist
Internal Revenue Service

Moderator
Olivia Calderon
California Legislative Director
New America Foundation