The ELCA is a church with a membership of over five million people, with congregations spread throughout the United States. Our Lutheran Social Service agencies provide services to people in every state and the District of Columbia. The statement raises the importance of assisting working families who are struggling on very low wages. Attending to their needs is critical to their personal dignity and individual well being. The current vibrant economy has benefitted a goodly number of families.
Childhood poverty is down.
But, unfortunately, the depth of poverty has increased among those struggling at the bottom of the economic ladder. Work has not necessarily made children in families with low wages better off. The cost of food, housing, child care and transportation is likely to more than equal their income. We were pleased to learn of your proposal to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit, add 120,000 additional vouchers to the Section 8 program, and include additional investment in children's health outreach in your FY 2001 budget. We also thank you for continuing to make an increase in the minimum wage a priority.