U.S. Congresswoman Slaughter Says Jobless Benefits Package Will Help Western New York Families
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter says that legislation signed into law by President Obama will have an immediate impact on helping families across Western New York. The legislation was approved by the House restores funding for unemployment insurance and tax credits to help cover the cost of Health Insurance premiums for Americans who've lost their jobs. The bill also provides retroactive help to cover workers whose benefits expired in March.
"Even though the economy is heading in the right direction and more new jobs are being created, we still need to do what we can to help Western New Yorkers who are trying hard to find a job," Slaughter said. "Many people are still trying to make ends meet and we have to continue to find ways to keep the economic revival strong."
Summary of the Continuing Extension Act of 2010:
Extension of Unemployment Insurance Programs - Extends Federal Unemployment Programs retroactively, including the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program, through June 2nd, 2010.
Extension of COBRA Assistance - Extends eligibility for 65% subsidy for COBRA premiums through May 31st, 2010 and provides transition relief for individuals who lost their jobs between March 31st, 2010 and the date of enactment.
Extension of Medicare Physician Update - Extends current Medicare payment rates for physicians (preventing a 21% payment reduction) through May 31st, 2010.
Clarification of Health IT Incentives - Ensures certain doctors in outpatient facilities are eligible for health IT payments under Medicare and Medicaid.
Extension of Poverty Guidelines - Extends current provision maintaining 2009 poverty guidelines through May 3st1, 2010 (to prevent a lowering of the poverty line).
Extension of National Flood Insurance Program - Extends provision through May 31st, 2010.
Satellite Television Extension - Extends the copyright license used by satellite television providers through May 31st, 2010.
Compensation for Furloughed Employees - Provides compensation for federal employees furloughed during March 1st and 2nd as the result of the lapse in expenditure authority from the Highway Trust Fund.
Extension of Small Business Administration Programs - Continues funding for loan programs that provide small businesses with the capital they need to succeed and grow. The bill extends funding to reduce or eliminate fees under the Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan guarantee program and the 504 loan program through May 31st, 2010.
Also from Congresswoman Slaughter:
(WASHINGTON) - Congresswoman Slaughter (NY-28) is telling Western New Yorkers that it's because of the Recovery Act that 25 new tax cuts exist, part of more than $800 billion in tax cuts for Working Families and small businesses that this Congress passed since last year.
"Many people don't realize that tax cuts are the biggest individual piece of the Recovery Act," said Slaughter, a strong supporter of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "When we passed the Recovery Act, we gave ninety-five-percent of working Americans one of the largest tax cuts in history and provided incentives to attend college, make energy-saving home improvements, purchase a home for the first time or buy a new car."
Taxpayers in Western New York and across the country can claim a variety of benefits on their 2009 tax returns, including:
The Making Work Pay Tax Credit - 95% percent of Working Families are already receiving the Recovery Act's Making Work Pay tax credit of $400 for an individual or $800 for married couples filing jointly in their 2009 paychecks - and will continue to see these benefits in 2010. In New York's 28th District, 243,000 families are benefiting from the Making Work Pay Tax Credit.
Tax Credits For College Expenses - Families and students are eligible for up to $2,500 in tax savings under the American Opportunity Credit as well as enhanced benefits under 529 college savings plans, which helps families and students pay for college expenses. More than four million additional students will be able to attend college thanks to this tax credit, more than 295,000 of them in New York.
The First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit - First time homebuyers can get a credit of up to $8,000 for homes purchased by April 30, 2010 under the First Time Homebuyer tax credit. In New York, 58,787 households have already taken advantage of the First Time Homebuyers tax credit.
Tax Credits For Energy-Efficient Renovations - Taxpayers are eligible for up to $1,500 in tax credits for making energy-efficient improvements to their homes, such as adding insulation and installing energy efficient windows.
The Vehicle Sales Tax Deduction - Taxpayers can deduct the state and local sales taxes they paid for new vehicles purchased from February 17th, 2009 through December 31st, 2009 under the Vehicle Sales Tax Deduction.
Expanded Family Tax Credits - Moderate-Income Families with children may be eligible for an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit and the additional Child Tax Credit.
Tax-Free Unemployment Benefits - Thanks to the Recovery Act, individuals who received unemployment insurance in 2009 do not have to pay taxes on the first $2,400 of such earnings directly helping 857,000 New Yorkers.
From State Senator William Stachowski:
Too many New York residents are crippled under the heavy burden of property taxes. Seniors are being forced from their homes. Young people are leaving the state altogether. Businesses are being scared away. It's true, the government needs money, but if we continue to bleed our homeowners, then the pulse of the state could slow to a halt.
That stops now.
Last week I stood up and proudly pushed for landmark legislation, Senate bill 6212, to provide property tax relief for Western New York homeowners. This bill provides sweeping reform for Upstate taxpayers, burdened by what we've all come to know as some of the highest property taxes in the nation. The Senate passed this bill to hold the line on property taxes and ensure that Western New York remains a competitive and attractive place to live and start a business.
Senate Bill 6212 goes a long way towards keeping our property taxes under control by enacting three key provisions: A tax cap, a circuit breaker, and the restoration of senior STAR rebate checks; A school tax cap ensures that school spending doesn't outpace inflation; A circuit-breaker ensures that those making under $250,000 will never have to pay more than a certain percentage of their income in property taxes; and A restoration of the STAR rebate checks will give seniors, especially those living only on Social Security, the extra assistance they need to survive.
Sadly, certain downstate powers in the Assembly do not understand the importance or urgency of passing immediate property tax relief for hard-working Western New York homeowners. They don't seem to care that seniors are struggling to make ends meet, that businesses are running away from New York, and that families and school districts can only tighten their belts so much.
Lowering property taxes will immediately benefit the state economy. Free from this tremendous expense, homeowners will likely increase their spending or invest in their properties. Most importantly, lower property taxes will create new jobs by attracting new companies, spurring economic development. We must make downstate Assembly members understand the importance of this effort.
As your State Senator. I have been tirelessly working behind the scenes to create more jobs for Western New York. Over the past two years I have fought for implementation of UB 2020, a powerful economic force for WNY and Power for Jobs, ensuring affordable energy for hundreds of businesses. The Green Jobs Act of 2009 funnels revenue from the sale of carbon emission credits to cut monthly energy bills.
We must send a clear message to downstate Legislators that we need property tax relief now.
Please call Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver at 518-455-3791 and demand that the Assembly follow the Senate's lead and pass property relief immediately.
I will continue fighting for Western New York; passing smart, common sense legislation to reduce property taxes, bolster economic development and create new jobs.
Together we will push New York City interests in the Assembly to pass immediate property tax relief.
