| Our federal government took steps to help lift tens of thousands of children out of poverty when members voted to pass the Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan. On Thursday, I joined Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Congressman John Larson and Governor Ned Lamont to discuss how we will make this transformative policy permanent for working families.
In the biennial state budget we passed this session, we included a provision to require the state Office of Policy and Management to create a plan for state-level child tax credits in the event reductions in the federal credit occurs.
Beyond that, we also passed legislation to help close the gender wage gap by offering salary range transparency for a vacant position. Women continue to earn less than their male counterparts in the workplace, and oftentimes are at a disadvantage in salary negotiations. By knowing the salary range for the position they are applying for, women will be in a better position to negotiate a fair salary.
We also passed legislation to create more affordable child care options by offering a child care subsidy for parents in job training and education programs, expanding Care4Kids, and establishing a pilot program for child care entrepreneurs.
Speaker Pelosi captured it best when she said, "when women succeeds, America succeeds." I am proud to advocate for these initiatives and look forward to building off this work next session. |
