AACF's federal tax and budget project gives a voice to Arkansas children and families
In Arkansas, 353,402 children--one in four--live in low-income families. Over the last seven years, federal economic policies have made it even more difficult for families to escape poverty and become self-sufficient.
Key programs that support working families and children have been cut significantly relative to inflation since 2002, including Head Start and child care assistance.
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families advocates for a balanced and responsible federal tax and budget system so working families can move forward. In doing so, we:
- Monitor legislative proposals, public debate and discussion about federal tax and budget issues.
- Share our research on the impact of federal tax and budget policies and proposals with the Arkansas Congressional delegation.
- Organize coalitions around federal budget and tax issues, identify community leaders, organizations, and state-wide networks and work to educate and engage them.
- Conduct state-wide public education campaigns on federal tax and budget issues and the federal budget process.
Current Issues
Health reform
Side-by-Side Analysis of Senate and House bills (December 2009)
What's in the House Health Reform Bill for Kids? (November 2009)
Five Questions Advocates Should Ask of Health Reform
(June 2009)
2009 Health and Climate Policy Recommendations (July 2009)
Climate change
Care for Our Kids and Climate (November 2009)
2009 Health and Climate Policy Recommendations (July 2009)
Cap and Trade Basics and Helping Low-Income Families (July 2009)
Economic recovery
What's in the Recovery Act for Arkansas Children? (October 2009)
Economic Recovery Act Should Include Low-Income Relief (January 2009)
Welfare Reform Redux: ARRA's Potential to Help Arkansas Families in Financial Crisis (July 2009)
Unemployment Insurance and ARRA: An Overdue Win for Arkansas Families (July 2009)
Federal budget
The President's Budget Priorities for Arkansas Children (May 2009)
Press Release: Statement on President Bush's Budget Release - Arkansas's Working Families Could Be Left Out in the Cold (February 2008)
Press Release: President's Budget Reflects Wrong Priorities for Arkansas and the Country (February 2007)
The Estate Tax Debate: Truth and Consequences (June 2006)
PRESS RELEASE: State Group Calls on US House to Vote Against Increased Cuts to Vital Programs (October 2005)
PRESS RELEASE: Arkansans Urge Senators to Vote No on New Federal Budget Plan (October 2005)
PRESS RELEASE: Advocates Urge Senator to Protect Food Stamps (April 2005)
PRESS RELEASE: The President's Budget Cuts Programs Vital to Arkansas (February 2005)
Moving Families Forward newsletters
2009: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, October, November
2008: April, May, June, September, October