What does it mean to LIVE UNITED against poverty? It means being a voice for the single mother struggling to earn a living because she can’t cover costs like transportation and childcare. It means standing up for stronger communities by ensuring workers can afford quality healthcare for their children and families. And it means bringing local needs to the attention of our national representatives and lawmakers. 365 days a year, our United Way participates in a number of advocacy efforts on local, state and even federal levels.
That’s why today, I am proud to join more than 90 of my United Way colleagues from 30 states on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to advocate for our neighbors and communities.
As we meet with members of both parties as well as both sides of Congress and their staff, we urge our representatives to consider priorities in their tax reform discussions that take a stand to create opportunities for all.
Our agenda:
- Let’s build on what works in the tax code and protect and strengthen the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), charitable deduction and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).
- Let’s work to ensure any changes to our healthcare laws improve existing healthcare coverage and reduce health disparities and costs, such as the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
- Finally, let’s pass a Fiscal Year 2018 spending bill that gives us all a chance to succeed by providing sufficient resources and supports that contribute to healthy, educated and economically-stable communities.
Want to join us in LIVING UNITED against the challenges facing our community and nation? Learn more about being a United Way Advocate.