Number
190311
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. JOHNSON
Title
Resolution supporting U.S. Senate Bill 690, the American Family Act of 2019, introduced by Senators Michael F. Bennet and Sherrod Brown in the 116th Congress (2019-2020).
Analysis
This resolution expresses the Common Council’s support of U.S. Senate Bill 690, the American Family Act of 2019, which was introduced by U.S. Senators Michael F. Bennet and Sherrod Brown on March 6, 2019, which makes the child tax credit fully refundable and establishes an increased tax credit for young children. This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby for passage of this legislation.
Body
Whereas, U.S. Senators Michael F. Bennet (D-CO) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the American Family Act of 2019 on March 6, 2019, to overhaul the existing Child Tax Credit for the purpose of making it a more effective tool for supporting middle-class families with children and reducing child poverty; and
Whereas, U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CO) and Susan DelBene (D-WA) introduced a companion bill of the same name in the House of Representatives; and
Whereas, The American Family Act would replace the current Child Tax Credit with an expanded version based on research regarding effective methods of improving outcomes for children; and
Whereas, The Columbia University Center on Poverty and Social Policy released a report that found the American Family Act would reduce child poverty by 38 percent; and
Whereas, The legislation would do the following:
1. Create a new expanded credit for children under age 6.
2. Increase the maximum child tax credit for all children under age 17.
3. Make both credits fully refundable.
4. Provide a tax credit for all households with children headed by individuals who earn less than $150,000 per year and all married couples who earn less than $200,000 per year.
5. Index the credit for inflation.
6. Set up advance payments on a monthly basis.
; and
Whereas, There is evidence from the National Academy of Science that indicates that the less poverty children endure, the less likely they are to be involved in criminal activity and more likely to graduate from school and earn decent wages; and
Whereas, Several European countries, including Germany and Sweden, provide child tax credits; and Canada recently expanded its child tax credit program; and
Whereas, The percentages of children living in poverty in Germany and Sweden, are 6.2% and 3.6%, respectively, compared to 11.8% in the United States, where there is no child tax credit; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council supports U.S. Senate Bill 690, the American Family Act of 2019, which was introduced by U.S. Senators Michael F. Bennet and Sherrod Brown on March 6, 2019, in the 116th Congress (2019-2020), and which makes the child tax credit fully refundable and establishes an increased tax credit for young children; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council urges U.S. Senators and Representatives from the State of Wisconsin and all other U.S. Senators and Representatives to vote for this bill; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to lobby for passage of this legislation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send a copy of this resolution to each member of the City’s Congressional delegation.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB174329-1
Tea Norfolk
5/22/2019