RESULTS Austin U.S. poverty team builds awareness on EITC

… in the media and with Congress

In 1975 Gerald Ford signed into law the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is designed to “make work pay,” and to move a family with a full-time low-income worker above the poverty line.

Only working taxpayers are eligible for the EITC and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Studies consistently show that the two credits incentivize wage earners to earn more. The more low-wage workers earn, the higher their tax credit and the more disposable income they have. There are 1.2 million working Texans and 647,000 children who have been lifted out of poverty by the EITC and the CTC. Nationally 15 million people were lifted out poverty in 2012.

This spring, volunteer Anne McCulloch met with Congressman Roger Williams and explained how the EITC reduces poverty in two ways: (1) by encouraging work and (2) by supplementing the wages of low-paid poor or near-poor workers. In June Sarah Yanes journeyed to D.C. and met with members and their staff, educating them about the importance of the EITC. In August new volunteer Glenn Ross met with Rep. Lamar Smith’s local staffer, Mike Asmus and discussed the EITC.

Glenn Ross got an excellent EITC letter printed in the Austin paper in July. This builds on the successful media track record of the domestic team who got three letters about SNAP food assistance printed last fall (Alice, Gail, & Ginger’s letters).

Using media to educate the public and reaching out directly to educate elected representatives, the domestic RESULTS team is building support for strategies that directly address poverty in America.

Global Health: Immunizations for All Children

Immunizing children worldwide is the most impactful and efficient strategy to promote global health, save lives and produce a significant economic gains. The Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance’s mission is to increase access to immunization in poor countries. To achieve this, Gavi shapes the markets for vaccines by providing incentives for the pharmaceutical industry to invest in research and production. This has cut the cost of vaccines up to 90%. Gavi is a partnership building upon the strengths of the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF. RESULTS is campaigning to ensure strong support for Gavi at their upcoming replenishment conference in January 2015.

House Resolution 688, expressing support for Gavi was introduced in July. Representative Michael McCaul was an original cosponsor of the resolution and Representative Doggett has also become a cosponsor. RESULTS Austin volunteers are working to sign up more cosponsors. We'll be reaching out to the community and generating media in order to move our Representatives and Senators to take action. We invite you to join our campaign for a meaningful U.S. pledge to Gavi.