When Congressman Don Young died, there was no longer anyone to bring Alaska interests forward. Now Mary Peltola is in Washington. It is exciting to know that she is already addressing issues affecting Alaskan families. In a recent tweet (Sept. 9) she noted that the temporarily expanded Child Tax Credit, or CTC, reduced child poverty by more than 40% and we should all be behind renewing it. The CTC reached 83,000 Alaska families, including 155,000 children. Among those were 17,000 military families with 35,000 children.
When the CTC expired in December, 21,000 Alaskan children under 18 were at risk of slipping back under the poverty line. It is not a giveaway but an adjustment to taxes, paid out monthly rather than an annual lump sum. Most Alaska families used this income on food, clothing, rent, utilities, mortgage, school expenses and child care.
Thank you, Rep. Peltola, for immediately addressing the needs of children and families. And congratulations! We look forward to working with you in your efforts to reduce poverty in our state.
— Patricia Kennish
Anchorage
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