|
Support Economic Security Measures for Our Working Families!
NC Women United believes that all North Carolinians should have access to affordable housing and fair and livable wages.
Therefore, NCWU supports increased funding for the NC Housing Trust Fund, an increase in the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, and paid sick days for all workers.
Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit: Last year, North Carolina joined the twenty three other states that currently provide a refundable state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). While the victory was important, the state EITC was set at 3.5% of the federal EITC. More help is needed for North Carolina’s low- and moderate income working families. A 5% state EITC would circulate $68.8 million to households in all 100 counties, a $20.6 million increase above the original credit.
Guarantee Paid Sick Days: In today’s economy, the majority of parents must juggle work and family. It is a necessity for them to be able to take a reasonable amount of sick days to care for their sick or injured child or parent. But there is no state or federal law that guarantees a minimum of paid sick days for North Carolina workers.
Adequate Funding for the NC Housing Trust Fund: The NC Housing Trust Fund leverages production and repair of quality, affordable housing for low-income residents. Its investments are especially important in troubled housing markets and areas with rising foreclosures, creating new jobs and property tax base.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Support Economic Security Measures for Our Working Families!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As a member of NC Women United and a participant in Women's Advocacy Day, I am writing to urge you to support a state budget that provides economic security for North Carolina's working families.
First, our state Earned Income Tax Credit should be increased from 3.5% to 5%. Such an increase would help North Carolina's low- and moderate-income families, who were already working hard to make ends meet even before the weakened economic conditions impacted our state.
I would also like to ask that you support guaranteed paid sick days for all of NC's workers. In today's economy, the majority of parents must juggle work and family. It is a necessity for them to be able to take a reasonable amount of sick days to care for their sick or injured child or parent. Yet almost half, 42%, of North Carolina's workers lack paid sick leave.
Finally, I urge you to put your support behind a recurring $20 million funding increase for the NC Housing Trust Fund. Currently more than 2 million NC residents are living in substandard housing because quality housing is not affordable. Affordable housing is an issue we simply must address in a comprehensive manner and the increased funding for the Housing Trust is a crucial piece of doing just that.
Sincerely,
|
Campaign Launched:
June 10, 2008
|
