Capitol Report – American Children's Campaign

Capitol Report: Final Two Weeks of Legislative Session

The final two weeks of legislative session starts today. The schedule calls for sine die (the official end) to occur a week from this coming Friday. This week will concentrate on reconciling the House and Senate versions of the budget. The starting point isn’t a great difference between the two chambers. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner have shown themselves as collaborative with an absence of fiery rhetoric unlike some of their predecessors. The existence of a Republican supermajority in both chambers post the November elections made nearly every committee vote 100% predictable. The budget reconciliation process is expected to follow a similar path. Some grumbling among ...Read More

Karen Bonsignori2023-04-30T07:48:23-04:00April 24, 2023|Breaking News, Capitol Report|

Florida Legislative Committee Weeks Conclude: What’s Not Being Discussed

After seven weeks of Florida’s legislative committee weeks, it can be said that much of what wasn’t presented by state agency heads who appeared on most agendas is more significant to Florida’s everyday children and families than what was. With the number of new faces in the Florida legislature due to term limits and redistricting, it was understandable for agency heads to focus on explaining the function and status of their departments. But having listened to the presentations, American Children’s Campaign believes it is fair to say the overall condition and vulnerability of everyday Florida kids and families did not receive enough attention nor did the continuing crisis for working ...Read More

Karen Bonsignori2023-03-03T14:04:10-05:00March 3, 2023|Breaking News, Capitol Report|

Capitol Report: Victories for Some Children But Not For Others (Yet)

Another fallout from Manchin’s machinations. Nine out of every 10 families can benefit from the child tax credit, but the inability of the U.S. Senate to extend it from pandemic relief to a permanent pre-tax fixture could have millions missing out. There is no doubt that the expanded child tax credit reduced the number of children living in poverty by nearly 40%! There is no doubt that each household could receive up to $3,600 for each child under 6 years old, and up to $3,000 for each child between 6 and 17 years old. But rather than providing the credits in monthly increments, families are now required to wait until ...Read More

Karen Bonsignori2022-02-10T06:38:41-05:00February 10, 2022|Breaking News, Capitol Report|