Last week, the United States Senate passed a sweeping overhaul of the tax code that will touch almost every corner of the economy, affecting families, small business owners and teachers in the 52nd district.
“This is the federal government’s biggest tax rewrite in decades. And who will it help? Corporations and the one percent,” said State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign). “The biggest benefits of this tax plan are going to flow to the wealthiest at the expense of hardworking Illinois families and that is unacceptable.”
Under the tax plan, Republicans in Congress are slashing the tax rates of those who can afford to pay them. They are also debating to eliminate a $250 tax credit that allows teachers, principals or teachers’ aides to write off classroom supplies that they buy with their own money.
According to Bennett, this is especially concerning because a 2013 study by the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that 99.5 percent of teachers use their own money on school supplies, spending $485 on average in one school year.
“If they remove this tax credit, Washington will be sending a slap in the face to Illinois teachers who work tirelessly every day to educate our children,” Bennett said. “We need to be finding more ways to show our support to teachers, not taking away the small token of appreciation that we have to give them.”
The tax plan now heads to a Congressional conference committee. Bennett is urging members of Congress to vote against this proposal.
