Policy
ASSETS AGENDA FOR NORTH CAROLINA
A Prosperity Grid for North Carolina
The N.C. Assets Alliance set out its vision for the policies that can deliver economic stability and opportunity to North Carolina households and communities in its June 2009 report, "A Prosperity Grid for North Carolina."
Strengthen Connections to Work and Income
• Extend/Increase the level of support to working families provided through the NC Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
• Ensure a basic standard of pay and benefits to North Carolina workers
• Continue to expand the availability of affordable childcare
• Improve access to post-secondary education
• Improve access to affordable health insurance coverage
Generate Savings and Assets
• Expand the current system of Individual Development Account (IDA) programs throughout the state
• Create a system of child saving accounts in North Carolina
• Increase the availability of affordable and accessible housing
• Remove or increase the asset ownership limits in public benefit programs
• Create a cross-state agency workgroup on asset protection, leveraging, and accumulation for working age adults with disabilities
Protect Prosperity
• Ensure that all North Carolina school children receive a basic financial education through the public school system
• Assist NC consumers to avoid predatory loans
• Expand access to justice for low-income clients
• Address the state’s high rates of home foreclosures
• Modernize the unemployment insurance system
ADVOCACY TOOLKIT
The President's proposed FY2011 budget would cut funding for the VITA Grant Program. VITA programs ensure that the workers receive their full tax credits and avoid the high fees of paid preparers. Urge Congress to provide a substantial increase in FY2011 funding for the VITA Grant Program.