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Connecticut hearing sees broad support for refundable child tax credit and universal school meals
Summary
Child advocates, service providers and parents urged the Committee on Children to back a refundable Connecticut child tax credit and state-funded universal school breakfasts and lunches, arguing the measures would reduce child poverty and food insecurity; witnesses proposed technical fixes and funding options.
A broad coalition of child advocates, educators and parents told the legislature’s Committee on Children that a refundable state child tax credit and universal free school meals would advance children’s health, school performance and family economic stability.
Ruchi Sheth of Connecticut Voices for Children and Dr. Emily Knox of the Center for Children’s Advocacy summarized decades of research and state data, urging the committee to adopt the bill’s sections 1–2. Sheth described a statewide food-insecurity rate she put at roughly one in six children, and argued a $600 refundable tax credit (phased out for higher incomes in SB6) would help low- and middle-income households. Dr. Knox emphasized that education is a protective factor for young people, and urged codified post-secondary grant supports for youth with foster care experience to address low completion rates among that group.
Parents and front-line providers gave practical examples. Jessica Vargas, a food-bank network representative and an elected alderwoman, recounted how universal school meals in magnet schools lifted the heavy week‑to‑week burden on families. ‘‘That extra $25–$30 a week made a real difference,’’ she said. Core research testimony from Corey Warl (Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center) and Mel Gay (Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance) reinforced that state child tax credits in neighboring states reduce child poverty and are politically feasible.
Witnesses also discussed how to pay for expanded meals. Jim Williams of the American Heart Association summarized a public poll finding broad public backing for no-cost meals and for a sugary‑drink tax as one potential revenue source; the committee will consider funding mechanics in subsequent fiscal hearings.
Why the changes matter: advocates said school meals reduce stigma, raise participation (and thus child nutrition), and free household dollars for housing, child care and other essentials. Multiple speakers urged the legislature to move quickly, saying federal changes to SNAP and certification rules could reduce eligibility, making a state solution more urgent.
The committee also heard technical suggestions: the Office of the Child Advocate urged clarifying language in the bill to ensure DCF uses notifications to assess open cases and to include probation/parole contact information if relevant; CT Voices and others recommended precise phase‑out thresholds to target help to families that need it most.
What’s next: Committee members asked about budget impacts and implementation timelines; funding and appropriation specifics will be handled in finance and appropriations committee work. Advocates said passing the measures would be a tangible anti‑poverty step with immediate benefits for learning and child welfare.
