What would it take to build a truly equitable and efficient public benefits system? One that streamlines access, reduces administrative burdens, and smoothly transitions individuals toward economic security. This session will showcase six future-focused program and policy innovations. We’ll start with quick, engaging Ignite presentations, followed by small group table conversations with presenters for deeper insight and connection-making.

• Center for Taxpayer Rights: Exploring automatic enrollment for tax and other public benefits.
• Digital Public Works: DiCIT: Software that increases access to benefits by minimizing applicant burden.
• Mirza: The Common App for public benefits: Transforming how families access safety net benefits.
• MyFriendBen: Medicaid Long-term Support Services (LTSS) Navigator: A digital guide protecting families’ homes, incomes, and dignity in long-term care decisions.
• Public Policy Lab: GovPay: A unified, privacy-first benefits payment platform.
• Rx Kids: A prescription for health, hope, and opportunity.

What would it take to build a truly robust and equitable revenue system? One where everyone pays their fair share, no one pays more than they can afford, and enough revenue is raised to fund public goods that benefit us all, like childcare, education, housing, transportation, and health care? This session will showcase six future-focused programs and policy innovations.

• FACT Coalition: Using transparency to deter multinational corporate tax evasion and avoidance.
• Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy: Enacting state wealth proceeds taxes.
• New Practice Lab at New America: Automatically returning money owed to families missing out on tax credits.
• Niskanen Center: Reviving America’s contributory tradition by expanding payroll taxes as a foundation for public benefits.
• Tax Law Center at NYU Law: Remaking federal tax administration.
• Washington Center for Equitable Growth: Reclassifying large passthrough businesses to strengthen equitable revenue systems.

Noted tax and budget policy expert Sharon Parrott will provide an overview of key provisions in the federal budget, discuss current and upcoming budget and tax debates, and offer insights on the potential impact on struggling families, workers, and communities.

• Shana Bartley, Policy Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation (Moderator)
• Sharon Parrott, President, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

States are facing some of the most challenging fiscal conditions in recent memory. The combined impact of HR1 and declining revenue bases is setting the stage for intense budget debates that will significantly affect the capacity to fund programs serving children, families, and communities. Hear from experts about the key fiscal trends, battles, and opportunities shaping these debates, and what’s at stake across the country.

H.R.1 delivers sweeping tax cuts to corporations and high-income earners—while dramatically reducing funding for essential programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts threaten the well-being of millions of families, children, and seniors, and shift the financial burden to already overstretched state and local governments. This session will provide an update on Medicaid and SNAP developments in states and potential short- and long-term interventions needed to safeguard these important programs.