Oklahoma Lawmaker Proposes Tax Credits to Promote Marriage and Family Stability

State Senator Dusty Deevers has introduced the Promote Child Thriving Act, offering tax credits to married couples with children as part of an effort to stabilize family structures and reduce childhood poverty in Oklahoma.

The United States has seen a significant rise in children growing up in single-parent households, a phenomenon that poses serious challenges to financial stability and educational outcomes. With nearly 40% of U.S. babies born to unmarried parents and marriage rates steadily decreasing, the need for intervention has become more prominent than ever. In response, Oklahoma’s State Senator Dusty Deevers has put forward an innovative initiative aimed at reversing this concerning trend.

The proposed legislation, known as the Promote Child Thriving Act, seeks to support family unity through financial incentives. Specifically, the bill would provide a $500 tax credit for married parents for each child under 18, with an increased credit of $1,000 available if the parents were married prior to the birth of the child. Advocates for the bill believe that such measures are crucial in addressing childhood poverty and fostering stable home environments.

Senator Deevers states, "My bill, The Promote Child Thriving Act (SB328), champions the most fundamental building block of any thriving society: the family." Furthermore, he emphasizes that robust family structures can significantly lower the chances of children experiencing adverse life outcomes, such as entering the foster system or dropping out of school. This aligns with findings that suggest following the “success sequence”—completing high school, gaining stable employment, and securing marriage prior to parenthood—could reduce poverty rates to as low as 2.4%.

While some critics argue that offering tax incentives for marriage intrudes upon personal choice, supporters believe investing in family stability is essential for the future well-being of children. As trends indicate declining marriage rates among younger generations, states may soon need to grapple with whether legislative approaches like these could pave the way for healthier family dynamics and a decrease in societal challenges associated with single-parent households.