Community action agencies in the Commonwealth are working with state lawmakers to ensure funding of their work to alleviate poverty continues. Previous state funding helped the Worcester Community Action Council, serving Central and South-Central Massachusetts, create a Resiliency Center, offering financial coaching and income-tax assistance to low-income families. Marybeth Campbell, executive director of the council, said her agency is not doing things for people, but with them. .
A bill to increase tax credits in the Commonwealth is backed up by research showing the credits lead to better nutrition for working families and better long-term health outcomes for children. Lawmakers want to expand the state Earned Income Tax Credit and streamline other existing dependent tax credits to help put even a few hundred dollars back in the pockets of working people, including immigrants and many essential workers. Democratic State Senator Jamie Eldridge said while food, energy and housing prices are up significantly, the bill is about more than just rebates. .