AFT on Senate Vote on Repealing State and Local Tax Deduction

WASHINGTON—Statement by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on the Senate’s vote against considering an amendment by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to the Republican budget resolution to prevent any limitations or repeal of the state and local tax deduction:

“Senate Republicans doubled down today on their devotion to tax cuts for the wealthy while sticking it to everyone else by refusing to vote to keep the long-standing and vital state and local tax deduction in the tax code. Republicans want to use the revenue generated by jettisoning this deduction to pay for tax rate cuts for the rich at the expense of most Americans, especially low- and middle-income people.

“For more than 100 years, this deduction has supported important state and local investments in public schools, healthcare, law enforcement, infrastructure and other vital services. The deduction is used by about 44 million Americans, and eliminating or undermining this part of the tax code would severely hurt communities and their residents. The AFT will continue to fight this misguided proposal throughout the tax reform effort.”