Capitol Report

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

When Senate Bill 948 was heard in the Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee on January 17, Senator Gayle Harrell (R- Stuart) asked four pertinent questions about the proposed change in representation of children in dependency court. She was clearly trying to drill down on what changes would occur. In what some have commented as a confusing exchange, audience members and those watching online walked away thinking no change would occur in the assignment of the Guardian ad Litem. This is FACTUALLY INCORRECT in spite of Harrell’s attempt. This dialogue took place over the continuing saga of what appears to many to be ideological attempts to cast doubt about Florida’s ...Read More

Opening Remarks: Some Got It More Right Than Others Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson hit the mark with his opening day remarks, choosing to speak eloquently and passionately about children. He made it clear it wasn’t just “his kids and grandkids” he was thinking about. He was inclusive about all children and their future, including those in early learning, in child welfare and foster care, special needs and those struggling. For both years of his presidency he has made children a banner headline. Few among his colleagues have been as consistent and focused. In his remarks, he specifically mentioned that the “… costs of early childhood care are consistently ...Read More