E-CAPS Number 6

April 11, 2001

Since many of the Joint Favorable report deadlines have passed in the
General Assembly, this seems like a good time for an update. 

In this issue of E-CAPS we have:
++Early Childhood Education
++Housing
++Economic Security
++State Earned Income Tax Credit
++Update on Federal Budget deliberations

Early Childhood Education
Bill 6931, An Act Concerning Education and Equitable Wages for Early Childhood Professionals passed through Labor and Human Services and is on its way to Appropriations. Thanks to everyone who worked on this bill.

Since the provisions of this bill, incentives for education and wage increases, are tied directly to the proposed "Quality Enhancement Fund", if we do not receive funding for this program, there will be no wage increases.

We are also asking for an increase to the per child unit reimbursement for child day care and school readiness programs. This is just as important as Bill 6931 for supporting good wages for child care workers.

Child Care Certificate Program
The proposed closing the in-take of applications to the CCCP would have a devastating effect on working families and their children, as well as the providers. Last year providers received $14.5 million from CCCP. This helped provide higher salaries and keep parent fees somewhat reasonable. We hope providers and program directors will call and write their legislators. A sample letter is attached.

Housing
There has been a lot of activity regarding affordable housing this year. Thanks to all the community action agencies that got people to the Bridgeport Public Hearing on Housing on March 27th. It was a great success with over 150 people attending.

Bills we are watching include:
HB 5388 - CT Housing Partnership Fund, a $50 million investment of state
surplus funds to be used for affordable housing.
HB 6699 - Expansion of Rental Assistance Program, to serve 1,500 families
HB 5614 - Expand Beyond Shelter Initiative, supportive program for families
leaving shelters

Economic Security
We are concerned about proposals to eliminate the Community Employment
Incentive Program (CEIP), and SAGA medical benefits (Bill 6705), and the
proposal for a firm 33-month limit on welfare benefits (Bill 6706). If these
bills or concepts pass, it could severely hurt the clients, children and families
we work with.

CABHN is sponsoring a Press Conference on These Issues called
"Stop Punishing People for Being Poor"
Thursday, April 12th at 10am in LOB Room 1A
Reps Marie Kirkley-Bey and Minnie Gonzalez, and Mothers for Justice
Video "Welfare Made A Difference" will be shown
For more information call Deb Noble at 860-278-5688 x12

Other bills promoting Economic Security that we are watching include:
Bill 1347, An Act Concerning a Work-Study Program for TANF Recipients
which will provide a way for low-income parents to attend college. It is
now before the Appropriations Committee.

State Earned Income Tax Credit
Bill 1338, An Act Establishing an Earned Income Tax Credit would establish a credit modeled on and would equal 10% of the federal earned income tax credit. This bill is before the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. Bill 6939 includes the same language, would use some TANF funds to provide the credit and has been sent to the Floor for a vote.

Now is the time to show support this concept and these bills. Income Tax Credits have been shown to help families out of poverty and promote work. The concept has bi-partisan support.

Contact legislative leaders and your local legislators on these important issues for working and poor families. Key leaders are the chairs of Appropriations (Rep. Bill Dyson, Sen. Joseph Crisco), Human Services Sub-Comm. of Approps (Rep. Jack Thompson , Sen. Toni Harp) and the leadership (Sen. Kevin Sullivan, Sen. George Jepsen, Rep. Moira Lyons, Rep David Pudlin). They are all Democrats. House Democrats can be reached at 1-800-842-1902 and Senate Democrats at 1-800-842-1420.

Update on Federal Budget
Due to the efforts of our own Senator Dodd, as well as Republican Senators
Jeffords (VT) and Chafee (RI) important amendments were added to the Budget Resolutions that include:
>$250 billion additional for children and educational programs, including Head Start and special education
>$200 million restored to CCDBG by Sen. Dodd's amendment
>TANF Supplemental Grants extended another year and SSBG funding was restored to level funding (Sen. Graham - FL)

That's all for now. More to follow as the state and federal budget debates continue.

David MacDonald
CAFCA Communications Director
TEL: 560-5847
FAX: 560-5848

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