Working Families Tax Credit under consideration in Olympia

An extra $200 or $300 would go a long way in Claudia Ruth Franson’s household.

Since her husband tore a tendon last year, he’s been placed on light duty at his warehouse job while they continue to fight with their insurance company over paying for surgery.

Franson said her husband used to bring home more than $2,000 a month (more with overtime), and she gets $400 in child support from her first marriage, but she said her husband’s paycheck has been less since being placed on light duty.

She said she’ll soon start a job as a teacher’s assistant, but in the meantime her Ford Excursion needs repairs and they’re behind on bills and rent at their house in Hazel Dell. Meanwhile, their nine kids (ranging in ages from 11 months to 15) still need clothes and lots of groceries.

“To us, it’s a big deal,” said Franson. She added that any extra money she gets would just go back into the community. “Right now, I have to go shopping,” she added.

Lawmakers are currently considering legislation meant to put some extra cash in the pockets of families like Franson’s. House Bill 1527 and its companion, Senate Bill 5810, would create the Working Families Tax Credit, which supporters say would make Washington’s tax code less regressive while helping households with the rising cost of living

To read the full article written by Jake Thomas, click HERE