PENNSYLVANIA — Over the weekend Amber Viola, a single mother from Scranton, penned an op-ed about the expanded Child Tax Credit, which has been a “tremendous help” to her as a mother of a 4-year-old girl. Thanks to President Biden and Democrats, this tax cut will provide additional relief of up to $1,800 to Amber, as well as families of 2,368,000 children across Pennsylvania. For the first time in a long time, Viola can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to Democrats’ delivery of this new middle class tax cut.
Scranton Times-Tribune: New credit game-changer for working families
This month, countless Pennsylvania families woke up to a bit of good news — extra money in their bank accounts — thanks to the expanded child tax credit from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan. It’s a middle class tax cut of up to $300 per child for working families, deposited monthly.
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This tax cut is a tremendous help to me as the mother of a 4-year-old girl. Two years ago, Scranton School District got rid of free preschool. Because of this, I now pay out of pocket for my daughter’s education and other child care needs. This pandemic has only exacerbated the difficulties we single parents face.
When school ended this year, I was left with a $900 bill I was not able to pay. I have very little left over by the time I pay my utilities and rent. It’s a struggle for me month after month. But thanks to the child tax credit, I was able to pay off bills as soon as it hit my bank account July 15. For the first time in a very long time I’m able to breathe a sigh of relief.
And I know I’m not the only one in our region feeling a weight lifted off of my shoulders. Parents of more than 90% of the children in Northeast Pennsylvania will qualify for this tax relief. This is a historic moment. Finally, we are recognizing that it’s time to start investing in our children and lifting them out of poverty.
That’s why I can’t understand why every single Republican in Congress opposed expanding the child tax credit — and its direct payments to families like mine.
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Thank you to President Joe Biden and Democrats for prioritizing women and families like ours in NEPA. Biden understands that families needed economic relief after this pandemic, and many parents need support to be able to return to work or continue working so they can provide economic security for their families. The child tax credit has finally provided us with a sigh of relief.
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