We, the 2025 Democratic legislative first-year class of the Connecticut General Assembly, are proud to stand together in support of policies that help families throughout our state. We implore our legislative colleagues to join us in this effort. While the federal administration focuses on provi ding relief to billionaires, corporations, and oligarchs, Connecticut can show that our focus is still on our state’s working families. This year, the Connecticut legislature must pass a state-level child tax credit. We’re lucky to live somewhere with a stable economy, strong public higher education, and strong protections for workers. Yet, we still face a stark reality: too many families struggle to make ends meet. While national economic policies create a whirlwind of uncertainty, leaving working families vulnerable, we have the power to provide a crucial safety net here at home.  This isn’t about political ideology; it’s about basic economic sense and taking care of our own. While the saying has become cliche and diluted, it remains as true as ever that children are our future, and their wellbeing is one of the clearest indicators of how we as a state are functioning. Yet, for countless Connecticut families, the cost of raising a child has become an insurmountable burden. Rising inflation, particularly in essential areas like groceries, housing, and childcare, is squeezing household budgets to the breaking point. This burden is exacerbated by the unpredictable nature of the national administration, where news about tariffs and massive cuts to essential services have left us all anxious and uncertain about our economic futures. As new legislators, we recognize the responsibility we have to fight for the people who put their trust in us. We came here to push for policies that lift up working families —not to stand by while billionaires get tax breaks at the national level while Connecticut parents struggle to afford diapers and food. We want to be clear: we are not talking about charity; we are talking about having the backs of working parents at a time when they need it the most. These working parents are performing a double benefit to our state, both raising our next generation and fueling our economy. Consider the single mother working two jobs, still struggling to afford diapers and formula. Imagine the family forced to choose between paying the electricity bill and purchasing healthy food or accumulating more and more debt to afford both. These are not abstract scenarios; they are the lived experiences of our neighbors, friends, and family members. Data shows that even in households with two working adults, one out of every five children in Connecticut are living in families who earn just enough to meet basic needs or who are falling behind. A state child tax credit would provide these families a direct, tangible lifeline. It would offer a much-needed financial boost, allowing parents to cover essential expenses, invest in their children’s education, and alleviate the constant stress of financial insecurity. The benefits may be obvious for struggling single parents or households taking on significant debt to afford their bills. Still, the truth is that these child tax credits have historically been structured to be broad and support middle-class families who are also feeling economic pressure from the high cost of raising a child. For instance, in 2022, a temporary rebate was implemented as an opt-in, application-based program that provided up to $250 per child for up to three children for single filers who made less than $100,000 a year or joint filers who made less than $200,000 a year.  The benefits of this extend beyond individual households. Studies have shown that child tax credits reduce poverty rates, improve children’s health and educational outcomes, and stimulate local economies. When families have more money, they spend it in their communities, supporting local businesses and driving economic growth.  This should be seen as an urgent need for Connecticut, and not a luxury, as parents choosing to stay and raise their children in our state desperately need a break. Raising a child in Connecticut is more expensive than almost anywhere else in the country, with an average cost of $16,990 a year spent on child care. We’re also one of only two states with a state income tax that doesn’t offer any tax breaks, like a child exemption or deduction, specifically designed to ease the financial burden of raising children.  Anyone who hears these ideas and becomes concerned with the costs should remember that the cost of inaction is far greater. Children living in poverty are more likely to experience health problems, struggle in school, and become involved in the criminal justice system. These issues place a significant burden on taxpayers in the long run. Investing in children now is an investment in a stronger, more prosperous Connecticut for all.    Donald Trump and Elon Musk are working at the national level to decimate our economy, and families are feeling the strain. Connecticut must work twice as hard to create lifelines and protective moats around the financial wellbeing of our working and middle-class families. The 2025 Democratic Freshman Class is standing united in support of the child tax credit because we know this is the right thing to do for Connecticut. By passing a child tax credit this year, we can provide a lifeline to struggling families, invest in our children’s future, and build a more equitable and prosperous Connecticut for generations to come. Politicians are always happy to tell you how much they value children and parents in their communities, and it’s time to put our money where our mouth is. The following are members of the Democratic first-year state legislative caucus: State Rep. Dan Gaiewski, State Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, State Rep. Kai Belton, State Rep. Patrick Biggins, State Rep. Eilish Collins Main, State Rep. Savet Constantine, State Rep. Dave DeFronzo, State Rep. Nick Gauthier, State Rep. Ken Gucker, State Rep. Bill Heffernan, State Rep. Jonathan Jacobson, State Rep. Renee LaMark Muir, State Rep. Rebecca Martinez, State Rep. Nick Menapace, State Rep. John Santanella, State Rep. Kaitlyn Shake, State Rep. MJ Shannon, State Rep. Laurie Sweet, State Rep. Steve Winter and State Sen. Paul Honig. ...read more read less