We don’t talk enough about the financial reality of raising older kids.

When people picture families in need of support, they often think of new parents juggling diapers and daycare. And yes, those were challenging years. But the truth is, the financial stress doesn’t end when your child starts school. It changes and, in many ways, it gets even harder.

I’m the mother of two middle school boys. They’re funny, thoughtful, energetic, and I’m incredibly proud of the young men they’re becoming. But as they’ve grown, so have the costs of raising them. Like many parents across Connecticut, my family works hard and budgets carefully, but we are living in a time of economic strain. Every trip to the grocery store costs more than the last, and electricity rates are sky high.  

In this time of rising expenses, Connecticut—already one of the most expensive states in the country to live—remains the only state that taxes personal income without adjusting for family size. This includes all of our neighboring states. That means a single adult with no dependents pays the same rate as my family with two kids. It’s an outdated system that doesn’t reflect the cost of raising a family. 

That’s why I strongly support creating a fully refundable Connecticut Child Tax Credit. I’ll be honest — it won’t solve everything, but it will make a meaningful difference. 

This is a common-sense policy that would benefit more than 550,000 kids of all ages across our state until they reach the age of 17. It’s a practical, proven, and bipartisan solution. It’s time to make it real. 

Families across Connecticut are being asked to do more with less, and we simply can’t afford to wait any longer.

Amanda Webster lives in Hartford.