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CFAN
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A Credit that Works for Louisiana’s Families Louisiana has a tremendous opportunity to invest in its working families by providing at least a 5% match to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC provides tax relief to families with low incomes paying payroll and sales taxes. The credit also creates an incentive for individuals to join and remain in the workforce, and produces a significant boost in our local economies. The benefits of a state EITC match would reach all corners of the state and all types of communities- distributed fairly evenly among rural, suburban, and urban areas- and help make our state a better place for families to work and to live. How it Works: For families with very low incomes, the size of the credit they are eligible for increases with each dollar of earnings. The credit is reduced gradually for families with higher earnings. The credit is paid when the worker files his or her income taxes for the previous year. A credit may be refundable or non-refundable. A non-refundable credit only benefits the taxpayer up to the amount of taxes they owe; the rest goes unclaimed. With a refundable credit, a taxpayer would receive the full benefit of the credit. What a state EITC would cost: Based on past levels of filings in Louisiana and projections of EITC growth, if Louisiana approved a state EITC to begin in 2007, the cost in FY 2008 (when the ’07 credit would be claimed) would be as follows:
These costs would be projected to rise in FY 2011 to approximately $53 million, $109 million, and $218 million respectively. Download the new 2007 Budget Basics: A Guide to the Louisiana State Budget. Available at: http://www.lano.org/Docs/LANOBudgetBasics.pdf
Senator Landrieu Meets with Local Leaders in Lake Charles Senator Landrieu was in Lake Charles on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 to meet with local leaders regarding issues surrounding hurricane recovery. While Senator Landrieu was able to point to several favorable accomplishments in the most recent supplemental appropriations bill, the main topic of discussion was the projected shortfall in the Road Home funds, and the recent statement by Chairman Powell that federal dollars funding the Road Home were never intended to pay for wind damage, but only for flood damage caused when the levees failed. Senator Landrieu questioned this statement in light of monies paid to Mississippi for their rebuilding program and the fact that there were no levees in Mississippi that failed. Senator Landrieu urged all members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to take a stand on this issue, and encouraged all local communities to keep fighting for funds that will help us continue on the road to recovery.
Youth Action Forum Visits Baton Rouge The Youth Action Forum engages and encourages youth from area high schools to learn about public policy issues affecting children, families and communities. The Leadership Centers for Youth – Lake Charles and Sulphur - host Youth Advocacy Training sessions to inform youth leaders of their roles in affecting public policy within their community and state. While in Baton Rouge last month, the 2006-2007 Youth Action Forum toured Louisiana State University and spent the day at the Capitol meeting with our elected officials and touring the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives. The Youth Action Forum is a great opportunity for area youth to become involved in public policy issues which affect them now, as well as in the future.
Governor Blanco takes time of her busy schedule to meet Youth Action Forum members. Pictured from left to right: (Back row) Dana Forrest, Haley Guillory, Shaka Strong, Kristen Graham, Brittney Barnhart, Leah Canaday (Front row) Michelle Breaux, Governor Blanco, and Taylor LeBlanc. For more information on the Youth Action Forum please contact Dana Forrest at (337)436-9533 or at dana@fyca.org
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Office Location The Family Foundation of
Susan H.
Poston, Program Coordinator 337-436-9533
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