I am a single parent raising my child entirely on my own, with no child support or involvement from my former spouse. I hold a master’s degree and work two salaried, professional-level positions at local nonprofits—one full-time and one part-time. By every traditional measure, I am doing ever ything “right.” And yet, I am less financially secure today than I was years ago.   Betty Reece Over the past decade, I’ve lived both in and outside of Connecticut, which gives me a clear point of comparison when it comes to cost of living and quality of life. From that perspective, one thing is clear: Connecticut has become extraordinarily expensive for working and middle-class families. My experience is not unusual; it reflects what many parents and caregivers across income levels are increasingly facing in this state.  Despite earning more than twice what I did when I moved here in 2018, I have less financial stability and less ability to save. The math simply does not work the way it should. Higher education, full-time work, and professional advancement no longer guarantee economic security. Housing costs are a major driver. Property taxes are extremely high, in part because the state continues to underinvest in schools and municipal services, pushing those costs down to the local level. Utility bills are among the most burdensome I’ve experienced anywhere. Even everyday goods and services consistently cost more than in other states I’ve lived in. Before moving to Connecticut, my son and I lived in Philadelphia until he was two. I did not have to work nearly this hard to stay afloat. The overall cost of living there, including taxes, was significantly lower. That difference mattered. It meant fewer tradeoffs, less constant stress, and more room to plan for the future. I chose to live and work in Connecticut because I love our strong communities and exceptional quality of life, not because it is the cheapest option. But when you add up housing, transportation, healthcare, childcare and extracurricular activities, food, clothing, and the basic costs of maintaining a household, it becomes clear why so many families are stretched to the breaking point. One unexpected but common expense, like a car repair or medical bill, can undo years of careful planning. This is not about poor budgeting or lack of effort. It is a structural problem. I understand the need to pay taxes, and I value the public services we rely on. Excellent schools, safe communities, and a functioning safety net matter deeply to me. But the tax burden on middle-class families is excessive, and it is not keeping pace with the rising cost of raising children. More than half a million households across every zip code in Connecticut are struggling financially. In that context, a $600 state-level Child Tax Credit is a modest but necessary step. It would provide immediate, tangible stability for families like mine that are working, contributing, and paying taxes, but lack the financial stability we need and deserve. For households living on tight margins, this tax credit can prevent small setbacks from becoming long-term crises. This is not about ideology. It is about whether Connecticut wants to remain a place where working parents can build stable lives and invest in their children’s futures. Many other states, across political lines, have already recognized this reality and acted. Connecticut should do the same. If the state does not take affordability seriously, it risks becoming a place where only the wealthiest households can truly thrive while working families, despite doing everything right, quietly fall further behind. Betty Reece lives in Ellington. ...read more read less