Budget Policy

Two Tax Packages Set the Stage, Adoption Credit Survives

On Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee approved their tax bill (HR 1) by a vote of 24-16 while the Senate unveiled the outline of their version of tax reform.  After various changes the House bill preserved the Adoption Tax Credit while the Senate bill also retains the credit in their version. Aside from

House Committee Looks at Opioids Impact on Children and Youth

Last week Wednesday, November 8, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing on the impact of opioids on children, youth and families.  The hearings were under the banner of two of the Committee’s subcommittees with an emphasis on children. According to the Committee information provided, 61.8 million patients received opioid prescriptions

Ohio Counties Increase Taxes to Cover Foster Care Increases

Registration 2018 CWLA National Annual Conference Overview ------ A significant action during last week’s election took place in several Ohio counties.  In the November 7 election, 13 Ohio counties had children services levies on the ballot with some county leaders indicating the requests were being driven by increasing foster care caseloads. Twelve of the 13 counties

Home Visiting Still Waiting

Download CWLA Advocacy App to Your Phone and Advocate on Your Own Time!  Search for "votervoice" (one word) in your App store, or use one of these links: Google Play or iTunes After you download the App, you will be prompted to enter your email. A verification code will be sent to your email. After verifying

Survey of States Show Dramatic Increase in Foster Care, Loss of Placements

Last week the Chronicle of Social Change released a new report and survey, The Foster Care Housing Crisis that focused new and much needed attention on the dramatic increase in foster care placements and the challenge some states are having finding enough placements for children and youth in foster care.  The report focused on capacity

Taxes Likely to Dominate Rest of Year, Rescue for Adoption Credit Needed

Last week the House Republicans unveiled their tax reform package, H.R 1.  Since many tax credits and tax deductions were eliminated there were a few that CWLA and other advocates had hoped would be saved.  The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits did survive at a much smaller level but one that was eliminated was

Appropriations Action Uncertain

As we get closer to the December 8 expiration of the current FY 2018 funding, it is becoming more and more likely a final deal will not be struck.  Some are now suggesting the Congress may attempt another CR that would extend funding until December 15 to give the parties time to negotiate what they

House OKs Budget Reconciliation on Tax Cuts, Entitlement Cuts In 2018

On Thursday, October 26, the House went along with the Senate budget resolution by a vote of 216-212. That resolution will allow for the fast-track reconciliation process that will allow for a deficit increase of $1.5 trillion over the next ten years. The reconciliation places time-limits on floor debate in both the House and Senate

Senate Passes Budget Resolution, Step Closer to Tax Reconciliation

On Thursday, October 19, the Senate adopted their budget resolution by a vote of 51 to 49.  As a result, Congressional Republicans are one big step closer to having the legislative tool they need to pass a tax cut package. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican no vote.  As Senators worked on adopting

CHIP Moves Forward in House and Senate Committees

On Wednesday, both the Senate Finance Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee moved their version of a CHIP reauthorization. The Senate bill sponsored by Senate Finance Chair Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the Keeping Kids’ Insurance Dependable and Secure (KIDS) Act (S. 1827), would extend CHIP for five years

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