History of Legislative Action Related to the Opportunities for Working Families Forum
 

• Iowa appropriates $195,678 for tax preparation and EITC outreach
• Maryland legislators, state officials and community leaders hold a press conference to market the split refund option
• Maryland modifies savings promotions legislation to allow banks to offer the product
• Maryland appropriates $950,000  to the Small Business Development Center Network Fund
• Nebraska launches Save to Win (prize-linked savings) initiative.  Ten credit unions are participating, more than 1,300 accounts have been opened, and more than $1 million has been saved as of July 2012.  
• Washington appropriates $234,000 for asset building coalitions

2011

• Connecticut will replicate Washington’s model to measure cost effectiveness of public programs with support from the Pew Center on the States

• Iowa raises the state EITC from 7% to 10% of the federal credit. Measure vetoed by governor

• Iowa appropriates $195,678 for tax preparation and EITC outreach

• Maine—Bank on Working Group publishes “Save and Protect Your Money With a Bank or Credit Union” brochure

• Maryland legislators meet with state officials to market the split refund option

• Maryland Senator Katherine Klausmeier is appointed by Governor to State Workforce Board

• Nebraska authorizes financial institutions to reward savings

• Washington authorizes financial institutions to reward savings

• Washington appropriates $394,000 for asset building coalitions

• Washington legislators convene a forum on children in the recession

• Washington legislation revises manufacturing program to increase competitiveness

2010

• Hawaii appropriates $670,000 for financial education, IDA and EITC outreach

• Iowa appropriates $200,000 for tax preparation and EITC outreach

• Maine establishes the Bank on Maine Working Group

• Maine authorizes financial institutions to reward savings

• Maryland authorizes financial institutions to reward savings

• Maryland offers the split refund option to state tax refund recipients for the first time

• Rhode Island authorizes financial institutions to reward savings

• Washington provides online application for public benefits, education and training

• Washington appropriates $438,000 for asset building coalitions

2009

• Hawaii appropriates funds for financial education, EITC outreach and IDAs 

• Iowa appropriates IDA funds for flood victims 

• Iowa authorizes funds for the study of asset-building strategies, expansion of EITC outreach, and microenterprise development 

• Indiana creates poverty commission 

• Maryland expands financial literacy commission and begins implementing a pilot financial literacy program 

• Maryland exempts college savings and retirement plans from asset limits; allows split deposit of income tax refunds in savings accounts 

• New Mexico appropriates $250,000 for IDAs and makes high school financial literacy classes count toward graduation 

• Rhode Island exempts EITC payments from asset limits and extends Legislative Commission on Family Income and Asset Building 

• Utah allows IDAs for purchasing assistive technologies for the disabled 

• Washington Working Families Caucus increases to 33 legislators 

• Washington increases funding for asset building coalitions

2008

• Indiana raises state EITC from 6% to 9% of the federal credit

• Iowa appropriates $475,000 for microenterprise and $150,000 for IDAs

• Iowa makes financial literacy part of K-12 curriculum 

• Maryland raises the refundable portion of its EITC from 20% to 25% 

• Maryland creates financial literacy task force and passes foreclosure protections

• New Mexico appropriates $500,000 for IDAs

• Utah doubles IDA funding to $100,000

• Washington enacts tax credit at 5% of federal EITC 

2007

• Iowa forms Successful Families Caucus and gains support from the Northwest Area Foundation

• Iowa makes its EITC refundable and expands it from 6.5% to 7% of the federal credit

• Iowa increases funding for EITC outreach to $250,000

• Kansas expands its refundable EITC from 15% to 17% of the federal credit

• Montana reallocates workforce training funds to high-poverty areas

• New Mexico establishes a refundable EITC at 8% of the federal credit

• Rhode Island forms Joint Legislative Commission on Family Income and Asset Building

2006

• Iowa EITC outreach increases $200,000

• Mississippi introduces predatory lending and financial education legislation 

• Pennsylvania Family Savings Accounts increase $500,000 

• Pennsylvania Fresh Food Initiative increases by $10 million 

• Utah allocates $3.4 million in CCDBG funds for child care slots 

•  Washington authorizes $618,000 for asset building 

• Washington authorizes $1 million for IDAs

2005

• Iowa commits $100,000 in support of EITC (1500 taxpayers served, $2 million increase in return)

• Kansas passes IDA legislation

• Pennsylvania appropriates funds for family savings accounts, employment assistance, Fresh Food Initiative, and consumer protection against predatory lending

• Washington—Pierce County launches asset -building coalition

• Washington passes IDA legislation

2003-2004

• Pennsylvania establishes a Task Force on Working Families

• Pennsylvania governor's budget reflects Task Force recommendations

• Utah's EITC yields $82 million