Alissa Anderson (she/her/hers)
Policy Director
Alissa Anderson, Policy Director, conducts research to support policies that will create a more equitable economy where all Californians share in the state’s prosperity. Much of her work focuses on refundable income tax credits as tools for boosting economic security. She has provided policy recommendations and analytical support to a coalition of advocates working to strengthen and expand California’s Earned Income Tax Credit (the CalEITC) since the credit’s creation in 2015.
Before joining the Budget Center in 2005, Alissa was a research associate in the Center on Education Data and Policy at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. and taught English as a second language at an adult school. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Bryn Mawr College and a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. While in graduate school she conducted research on local living wage policies for the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE).
Originally from the east coast, Alissa has called California home for nearly 20 years and lives with her partner and two children in Sacramento. She enjoys dancing and singing and appreciates the life lessons her children teach her, like how to slow down and live in the moment.
meet the expert: Alissa Anderson
Read more about Alissa's story and the work she's doing at the Budget Center in our Q&A.
Recent posts by Alissa Anderson
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Report
Inequality Is Already Extreme in California — Republican Cuts Could Worsen It
key takeaway Republican federal budget proposals would significantly widen California’s already extreme income inequality by slashing essential programs like Medi-Cal and CalFresh while delivering massive tax breaks to the wealthy. State leaders must take action to protect Californians by preventing harmful cuts. The gap between the rich and poor in California is vast, and the …Poverty & Inequality -
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Paperwork Over People: Why Republican “Work Requirements” Fail Families
key takeaway Republican budget proposals would impose harsh and ineffective “work requirements” that restrict access to health care, food, and other necessities for millions of Americans. These “work requirements” are just paperwork barriers, not solutions. Federal policymakers should reject them. All Californians, no matter their race, gender, or zip code, deserve to have affordable health …Federal PolicyHealth & Safety Net -
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Strengthening the Child Tax Credit to Support Families and Reduce Poverty
key takeaway Expanding the Child Tax Credit would help millions of children thrive by reducing poverty, addressing racial inequities, and ensuring families with the lowest incomes receive the full support they need. All children deserve to grow up with the resources needed to be healthy and thrive. Yet millions of families across California struggle to …Health & Safety Net -
Data Hit
Fair Taxes, Strong Communities: Closing Loopholes to Support Californians
California faces a budget shortfall, but instead of cuts that harm communities, the state can raise revenue equitably by closing ineffective tax loopholes that benefit the wealthy.California BudgetTaxes & Revenue -
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California’s Refundable Income Tax Credits: $1.4 Billion for Californians With Low Incomes
key takeaway California’s refundable income tax credits — CalEITC, YCTC, and FYTC — play a crucial role in combating poverty and promoting economic security for millions of low-income families and individuals. These programs prove how targeted policies can address the state’s high cost of living, advance racial equity, and provide vital financial support. Every Californian …CalEITCHealth & Safety Net
