Join Maryland comptroller Brooke Lierman, Urban Institute president Sarah Rosen Wartell, and leading experts as we discuss how changemakers can get income-boosting state tax benefits into the hands of all eligible residents. Speakers will share where they see gaps between policy and practice, what has changed in 2025, and which outreach, community engagement, and tax filing supports may be most promising going forward.

This event, hosted by the Urban Institute in collaboration with the Comptroller of Maryland, will serve as a capstone to the Helping Maryland Connect Underserved Residents to Crucial State Tax Credits initiative, a research and policy project aimed at connecting underserved residents to Maryland’s largest income tax credits. Experts will provide a high-level overview of policy and administrative strategies to increase the uptake of state tax benefits and what this may mean for children and families’ well-being. The convening will also explore where there may be opportunities for more research, policy shifts, and different implementation approaches.

Keynote Conversation

• Brooke Lierman, Comptroller of Maryland
• Sarah Rosen Wartell, President, Urban Institute (moderator)

Speakers

• Aravind Boddupalli, Senior Research Associate, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center
• Simone Brody, Special Projects Fellow, New Practice Lab, New America
• Luisa Godinez-Puig, Senior Research Associate, Urban Institute
• Robin McKinney, Cofounder and CEO, CASH Campaign of Maryland
   

Additional speakers to be announced.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please email [email protected] if you require any accommodations or have any questions about this event.

Support for this event is provided by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the T. Rowe Price Foundation, the Greater Washington Community Foundation, and the Abell Foundation. For more on Urban’s funding policies, go to  urban.org/about/organizational-principles.