Last week, NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) put out the following message to its members:

Call your two U.S. Senators and your Representative. Ask them to VOTE to end the tax cuts for the richest 2% (those making more than $250,000 a year) and to oppose an extension of tax cuts for the richest 2% — even a temporary one.

How does this message relate to children?

Tax cuts made in 2001 and 2003 have created significant revenue losses and growth in the deficit. . If we continue these tax breaks, we won’t be able to address critical national priorities demanding attention, including high-quality early childhood programs (such as Head State and child care) as well as other programs. We’ll have to borrow even more money to finance these tax cuts, adding to deficits, increasing the interest we must pay on our debt, and making it harder to effectively address our significant long-term fiscal challenges. If Congress just ended the tax cut for millionaires, we could send an additional 18 eligible children to Head Start or provide child care for an additional 24 children for each millionaire.

What can I do?

To contact your representatives and voice your opinion on tax cut legislation , click here and enter your home zip code.