Lawmakers highlight impact of tax credits for PA families, workers
Policy Committee details options for putting more money in your pocket
Policy Committee October 28, 2024 | 2:39 PM
WILKES-BARRE, Oct. 28 – Pennsylvania needs more affordable child care and aging adult care, experts told the House Majority Policy Committee. People should not have to decide between leaving their job or caring for a loved one, because they lack paid family leave or affordable options.
Experts detailed the need for the expansion of tax credits, putting money directly back into the pocket of workers. Paid medical leave would also ensure the 4 million Pennsylvania workers who are not currently covered would be able to take leave, care for a loved one, feed their families and keep their house – without falling into debt and being forced to rely on federal and state social safety nets to survive.
“House Democrats are laser focused on helping working families and workers,” said state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, who hosted the hearing. “As we heard today, Pennsylvania is losing young families and young workers to neighboring states – because Pennsylvania needs to bolster its investments in its working families, its workforce and its future.”
The lack of paid medical leave contributes to Pennsylvania’s economic workforce issues as well as creating more costs for our small businesses in finding and hiring new employees to fill open positions – experts testified.
“The testimony delivered today hammered home how tax credits help provide a lifeline to our families and small businesses, allowing workers to stay on the job when they encounter a need for child care or dependent care for a parent or loved one,” House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said.
During the last year, Rep. Jim Haddock noted Pennsylvania tripled its child care and dependent tax credit this year.
“It really makes a huge difference for families having that extra money in their pockets,” pediatrician Dr. Aditi Vasan from Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania said.
Vasan noted studies have detailed the direct impact tax credits have had in preventing pre-term births – or a birth occurring before 37 weeks – which would help save tens of thousands of dollars. She advocated for Pennsylvania creating an Earned Income Tax Credit, like 31 states and all of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states. Although Pennsylvania offers the Pennsylvania Tax Forgiveness program, Vasan explained its income thresholds need updated to make the greatest improvement.
Monday’s House Majority Policy hearing featured testimony from pediatrician Dr. Vasan from Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania; Dan O’Brien from Children First PA; and Laurel Kilgour, from American Economic Liberties Project. The hearing took place at the Henry Student Center at Wilkes University.
Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy. Photos to be used for publication can be found at pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee/Galleries.