Baldwin’s Anti-Poverty Bill Picks Up Local Support

Anti-poverty groups are getting behind a newly-introduced bill from Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

Baldwin and a fellow Democrat, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, have authored what they call the Stronger Way Act. It would expand so-called transitional jobs that provide temporary, wage-paying work and other services to the unemployed.

The bill would also increase the Earned Income Tax Credit and expand it to more childless adults.

David Riemer of the Milwaukee agency Community Advocates Public Policy Institute advised Baldwin on the legislation. He said the bill goes further than others being discussed.

“For example, Republicans and Democrats agree on an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit that’s smaller than the one that Sen. Baldwin has proposed,” he said.

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan of Janesville told NPR this week that the U.S. ought to focus on poverty. But it’s not clear any legislation will pass before the November election.