GOP Tax Plan: Ends Tax Break For Teachers Who Buy Supplies For Their Class

There are multiple Republican tax plans that are difficult to keep up with.  The House, Senate, and White House each have their own plans.  The Democrats in office will have no say in the matter. The underlying theme is to cut taxes as much as possible for the wealthiest.  It's difficult to uncover and track the many hidden gems within their devious plans but Smart Dissent will try to share as many as we can.  

We as individuals must undertake Smart Dissent by speaking up loudly and hoping numerous Republicans in Congress see the light.   

Today we bring to light one that is truly disgusting.  If every teacher learns about this, Republicans will never take the White House again.

Teachers often have to spend their own money to provide students with books, pens and pencils, but they can get a tax deduction of $250 for their expenses — but not under Republican tax legislation.  Both House and Senate tax bills call for scrapping the $250 tax deduction....

“It’s a slap in the face to teachers to take it away. For teachers, it’s like ‘Are you kidding me? You’re coming after our $250?’ ” said Lisa Ochs, president of American Federation of Teachers-Kansas.

The credit was created in 2002 by Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, who in 2016 secured a provision to make it permanent. She noted at the time that despite “tight budgets and their own modest salaries,” teachers were spending their own money to purchase supplies and deserved to be reimbursed for “a small part of what they invest in our children’s futures.”

The National Education Association, under the hashtag #outofmypocket, is asking teachers to share via social media pictures of the sticky notes, pens and scissors that they buy for their students.

... teachers say the $250 deduction is an important recognition of the work they do. And for some teachers, especially in low-income areas, it can mean the difference between a student equipped for school and one who is not.  “For teachers it’s an acknowledgment: ‘We know what you’re doing and appreciate it,’ ” said Ochs.

Teachers are on the streets along highways begging for money for school supplies.  Clearly, this is a bigger issue than the tax break on $250 of supplies.  Education funding should be enhanced significantly.  Today the message from Republicans on this is clear.

Sources: 

http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article184431063.html