U.S. Poverty Weekly Update October 24, 2017

U.S. Poverty Campaigns

Weekly Update | October 24, 2017

"It’s unconscionable that Congress would continue to give handouts to the rich and cut from programs that support the working class.”

– RESULTS Atlanta volunteer and REAL Change Fellow Trenice Norman in an October 23 letter to the editor in the Marietta Daily Journal

Quick Action: Use Media to Oppose Tax Cuts that Increase Inequality

Got Two Minutes? E-mail Congress to Oppose Reckless Tax Cuts

Last week, the Senate took another step forward in enacting a tax plan that could have a devastating impact on millions of Americans. On October 19, the Senate passed its 2018 budget resolution 51-49, which paves the way for $1.5 trillion in unpaid-for tax cuts that benefit  millionaires, billionaires, and wealthy corporations. Not only will this budget put SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Medicaid, and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) at risk of deep cuts and restrictions, it will also exacerbate America’s vast wealth divide and destructive racial wealth gap.

The House and Senate are likely to pass a compromise budget later this week and then begin working on specific legislation to cut taxes (the House proposal could be released as early as next week). This proposal is not about fixing the tax code for the better. It’s about exacerbating inequality and rigging the economy for a select few at the top.

TAKE ACTION: Take two minutes to e-mail your members of Congress telling them to oppose any tax bill that give tax cuts to the rich and big corporations; tax cuts that will starve anti-poverty programs of funding and thus putting critical service at risk. Use our online e-mail alert to send your message today. Also, share the action alert link with people you know and urge them to send e-mails to their legislators too. Don’t let Congress get away with another tax cut that hurts those who need help and helps those who aren’t hurting.

Got Ten Minutes? Write to Congress about Tax Cuts that Hurt Americans in Poverty (October Action)

Next week, the House is expected to release its initial tax proposal. While we don’t know the details, we do know that it is not likely to differ much from the outline released last month – deep tax cuts for the rich and big corporations, few benefits for middle class Americans, and low-income Americans left out completely. In fact, we’re hearing that low-income individuals and families could be worse off through new restrictions on the EITC and Child Tax Credit (we’ll know more details when the plan is released).

The House hopes to have their bill passed by Thanksgiving, with the Senate working to complete their work by the end of the year. To prevent this reckless legislation from passing, we must remain vigilant all the way through this process. Just as with health care, the more you are contacting members of Congress in opposition to this plan – and urging others to do the same – the harder it will be for members to support it. Americans oppose more tax cuts for the rich and big corporations, yet Congress is trying to do the opposite. Let’s do our part to stop them.

TAKE ACTION: Take ten minutes to take the October Action. Write letters to your members of Congress asking them to share their position on the GOP tax plan and urging them to reject any proposal that enacts tax cuts for the wealthy and puts anti-poverty programs at risk. The Action has talking points to help with your letters and use ITEP’s state-by-state data to personalize your letters. Also, use our PPTs, Action Sheets, Laser Talks, and sample agenda to help others understand what’s at stake and get them into action. If you have questions or need help, please contact Jos Linn for assistance.

Got Sixty Minutes? Join RESULTS Anti-Oppression Discussion on Confronting the Myths of Segregation

In our effort to raise awareness of systemic oppression, RESULTS grassroots-led Anti-Oppression working group is holding another discussion on Thursday evening. This month, we are focusing on debunking the myths of segregation in America. We will be discussing the work of the acclaimed New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones via the interview, "Confronting the Myths of Segregation." These calls have proven to be enlightening and informative over the last few months. We welcome and encourage you to join the discussion.

TAKE ACTION: Take sixty minutes to join RESULT volunteers and staff for our next Anti-Oppression working group discussion on the myths of segregation this Thursday, October 26 from 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm ET. To join this discussion, login at http://fuze.me/34326078 or dial in by phone at (201) 479-4595, meeting ID 34326078; please read "Confronting the Myths of Segregation" before the call. 

Quick News

Join the Virtual Thanksgiving Feast! The annual Virtual Thanksgiving Feast Friends and Family Fundraising Campaign is only a few weeks away. It will be held November 13 – November 28. This online, peer-to-peer fundraising campaign is an opportunity to share your RESULTS work with your friends and family, grow your group, and help raise needed funds to support our work. Mark your calendars for the campaign and the kick-off training call on Thursday, November 9 at 8:30 pm ET (http://fuze.me/35823900 or by phone: (201) 479-4595, ID 35823900#). Email Ben McGarry at [email protected] with questions and to let him know you’re participating!

Join Tax/Budget Webinars Next Week. As the tax debate heats up, stay up on the latest by joining two informative webinars next week. On Halloween (Oct. 31) at 2:00 pm ET. Our friends at CBPP will host a webinar with the latest on the tax proposals moving through Congress and their impact on anti-poverty programs – register here. The next day, November 1 at 3:00 pm ET, faith advocates will host a webinar discussing the impacts of the budget and tax proposals from a faith perspective. Register for that webinar here. Please note that both webinars are off the record and are not for congressional staff.

Listen to Prosperity Now Webinar Recordings on Tax Policy and Wealth Gap. Prosperity Now (formerly CFED) has held some interesting and informative webinars for advocates over the last month. If you missed their webinars on the tax policy debate, how grassroots advocates can better fight for equity, or the wealth divide, listen and learn today.  

Upcoming Events

Go to the RESULTS Events Calendar to see a full list of RESULTS events. Also, find a list of the RESULTS U.S. Poverty staff with contact information on the RESULTS website.

Upcoming Congressional Recesses: House and Senate: November 20-24; December 18-29.

RESULTS Grassroots Anti-Oppression Discussion: Confronting the Myths of Segregation (webinar), Thursday, October 26 at 8:30 pm ET. Join online at http://fuze.me/34326078 or dial in by phone (201) 479-4595 Meeting ID: 34326078#.

RESULTS Introductory Call, Friday, October 27 at 1:00pm ET. Register for an upcoming Intro Call on the RESULTS website.

Proven Tools for Bringing Out Leadership in Others (webinar), October 30 at 8:00 pm ET. Using our new Group Leader Training Modules/Handbook, come for a great discussion of tips to help you be "a leader of leaders." Join at: http://fuze.me/35674518 or dial (201) 479-4595, meeting ID 35674518#.

Observance of Veterans’ Day, Friday, November 10. All RESULTS offices closed.

RESULTS U.S. Poverty National Webinar, Tuesday, November 14 at 8:00 pm ET. Participate at http://fuze.me/32255914 or (201) 479-4595, Meeting ID: 32255914#.

U.S. Poverty Free Agents Calls, Thursday, November 16 at 1:00pm and 8:00 pm ET. To participate, login at http://fuze.me/32256018 or dial by phone at (201) 479-4595, Meeting ID: 32256018#. Note the different day for November’s calls.

2018 RESULTS International Conference, July 14-17, 2018, Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. Save the date and keep an eye out for more details.

If you have a question, comment or suggestion for the RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund Board, please e-mail them to RESULTS Grassroots Board Member Steven McGee at [email protected]. You can view the most recently published minutes from Board meetings on the RESULTS website, as well as download RESULTS’ most recent Annual Report.