U.S. Poverty Weekly Update September 17, 2019

Quote of the Week

“I urge our members of Congress to uphold the principle that no business tax breaks should be extended or expanded without also expanding the EITC and CTC in the same bill.”

– RESULTS online volunteer Matt Geer in a September 11 letter to the editor in the Chicago Tribune

Got Two Minutes? It’s SEVENTY-tember! Help US Get 70 Media pieces on the EITC and CTC (September Action)

It’s SEVENTY-tember – our goal of getting 70 media pieces published over the next month on expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) this fall. Last week, the U.S. Census released new poverty data showing that the EITC and CTC lifted 7.9 million people above the federal poverty line in 2018. But many are still left out. Congress is considering one or more tax bills this fall, mainly as extensions of tax credits for business. We want it made loud and clear that if they do a tax bill this fall, it must include expansions of the EITC and CTC for workers and families. These folks must not be ignored again. Your media will make sure they aren’t.

TAKE ACTION: Take two minutes to submit a letter to the editor urging your members of Congress to expand the EITC and CTC in any new tax legislation. Tailor our updated online template (use the Census data release as a hook) or send a letter directly to your local paper. The September Action has background info and a sample letter to help you (and staff are available to help). When you get published, please let us know at www.tinyurl.com/RESULTSMedia.

Got Ten Minutes? Invite Others to Help Reach our Media Goal; Join Training on Thursday (September Action)

Members of Congress still pay attention to local media. They get updates every day on what is being said about them in the media back home. This gives them a feel of what their constituents care about and thus what they should care about too. If we want the EITC and CTC to be a top priority in tax negotiations this year, published media is a vital tool in getting there. Our goal is 70 published media pieces over the next month in support of expanding the EITC and CTC (we have 5 so far). That means we need to submit a whole lot more than 70 letters to get there. Reaching out to people you know inviting them to write a letter is the best way to do this. Ask someone to write a letter, offer them support (e.g. write with them, check in on their progress, remind them of why it’s important), thank them, celebrate if they get published, and reflect on the experience with them. That’s how you create political will and inspire new advocates.

And RESULTS wants to help. This Thursday, September 19 at 8:30 pm ET, please join our training webinar Wow, I got published!” Making Media a Transformational Experience for an in-depth training and discussion on how to use RESULTS actions to engage others. If you want to build your group, expand your action network, or just know how to share RESULTS with others, please join us. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/586201507, or dial either (929) 436-2866 or 669-900-6833, meeting ID: 586 201 507#.

TAKE ACTION: Take ten minutes this week to invite people to take action with you this month. Use the September Action on writing a letter to the editor to ask someone(s) you know to try writing and submitting their own. Remember to invite them to write with you or, if that’s not feasible, check in on their progress, thank them after they take action, and ask them what their experience was like. Contact Jos Linn if you would like one-on-one coaching help and plan to join our “Making Media a Transformational Experience” webinar this Thursday evening.

Got Twenty Minutes? Follow Up with Aides to Get Results You Want

On last week’s National Webinar, Chad Bolt, tax aide for Sen. Sherrod Brown, spoke to us about his boss’ work to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. He reiterated the importance of talking to tax aides in DC about the importance of these credits and reminding them to tell their bosses not to support any business tax extenders this year unless expansions of the EITC and CTC are also included. He also provided tips for effective lobbying with aides:

1. Use stories to illustrate the importance of the issue
2. Make a clear, specific request that is measurable
3. Follow up!

He strongly emphasized #3 – follow-up. He spoke of meetings he’s had with people who make a good impression but afterward he never hears from them again. Congressional aides talk to hundreds of people each month. Follow-up is the only way you get you request moved up their “To-do” list and it’s the only way to hold your members of Congress accountable. Without it, you’re just another voice in the crowd.

TAKE ACTION: Take twenty minutes to follow up with aides about our tax and housing issues. Here is what you can say:

• Senate tax aides: Send them the new Census data showing that the EITC and CTC lifted 7.9 million people above the federal poverty line in 2018. Ask their boss to tell leadership that they will only support a tax bill this fall if it includes expansions of the EITC and CTC.
• House tax aides: Send them the new Census data showing that the EITC and CTC lifted 7.9 million people above the federal poverty line in 2018. Ask if their bosses will to co-sponsor H.R. 3157 and to tell leadership that they will only support a tax bill this fall if it includes expansions of the EITC and CTC.
• House and Senate housing aides: Invite them to the Opportunity Starts at Home Campaign Congressional Briefing on affordable housing set for tomorrow, September 18 at 1:30pm ET on Capitol Hill. Send them this invitation and urge them to attend.

Quick News

Orientation and Advocacy Training Series Launches in October. Our terrific Expansion team is offering a new comprehensive volunteer advocacy training experience. Once a new advocate has attended a RESULTS orientation call, they will be invited to attend a six-week training to help them brush up on advocacy skills, dive into current campaigns, and become familiar with support tools RESULTS has available to assist them in their advocacy. This series is ideal for new people in your groups and potential volunteers you are cultivating. Learn more on our website. Spread the word – the series begins October 17!

Last Week to Oppose SNAP Rule. If you have not done so, please submit your comment opposing the Trump Administration’s proposed rule to cut SNAP for 3 million low-income people. See how the rule would impact your state. Comments are due Monday, September 23.

Public Charge Webinar Next Week. The Domestic Human Needs coalition is hosting the “Public Charge 101 for Faith Communities” webinar on Tuesday, September 24 at 2:00 pm ET. Guests include leaders from NETWORK, Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.

Oppose New Housing Rule. Submit your comment opposing the Trump Administration rule to make it easier for landlords, financial institutions and others to discriminate based on race, sex, national origin, disability, and other protected classes. Comments are due October 18.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Congressional Recess. The House and Senate will be on recess September 30-October 14. Submit your meeting requests today.

Tuesday, September 17, U.S. Poverty Free Agents Calls, 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/324294681 or dial by phone at (929) 436-2866 or (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 324 294 681.

Thursday, September 19, Webinar: Wow, I got published! Making Media a Transformational Experience, 8:30 pm ET. Join here: https://results.zoom.us/j/586201507, or dial either (929) 436-2866 or (669) 900-6833, meeting ID: 586 201 507#.

Tuesday, October 1: RESULTS U.S. Poverty National Webinar, 8:00 pm ET.  Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/873308801 or dial (929) 436-2866 or (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 873 308 801. Find recordings and slides from previous webinars on the National Webinars page.

Find other events on the RESULTS Events Calendar.

Other Resources

Learn more about the RESULTS Experts on Poverty.

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• What happened at your last lobby meeting?
• What media have you gotten published?
• Have you reached out to new people lately?

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