Topinka Plans Tax Credit For Teachers

CBS2CHICAGO ^ | 18 AUGUST 2006 | AP

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Candidate Would Propose Credit Of Up To $150 For Teachers Who Spend Own Money On Classroom Needs

(AP) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka plans to propose a state income tax credit of up to $150 for teachers who spend their own money for classroom needs.

Topinka's plan would reduce teachers' tax bills by $1 for every $2 they spend out of their own pockets on supplies and other classroom expenses. Teachers must work full time and would have to document their expenses to qualify for the credit.

The proposal, scheduled to be made public this weekend, is the latest maneuver in a campaign battle over education.

Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich highlights his increases in education spending and has proposed privatizing the state lottery to raise even more money. Topinka rejects that idea and argues Blagojevich has not done enough for schools.

Her tax proposal could help Topinka with rank-and-file teachers and undercut Blagojevich's support from the powerful Illinois Education Association.

Topinka's proposal has been approved in other states and was discussed in Illinois before by Jim Ryan, the Republican candidate who lost to Blagojevich in 2002.

The proposal could benefit many of Illinois' 165,000 teachers -- 127,000 downstate and 38,000 in Chicago. If everyone took advantage of the credit, it would cost the state between $10 and $15 million, the campaign estimates.

The Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press seeking comment Friday evening.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

This is just sickening.

[darkangel82]

What do you expect from queen RINO Topinka?

[glorgau]

Not sickening, just indicative of Topinka's lack of substantial ideas.

[metmom]

Another ping

[Jack Black]

Everyone who hasn't read "Godless" should!

[metmom]

I've heard a lot about it. I need to look into it.

[diogenes ghost]

I woulda expected something like this from her liberal brother, Teddy Bear, but not from her!

[Man50D]

Teachers would not have to pay a single cent for taxes with the Fair Tax because The Fair Tax would eliminate Fair Tax FAQ #1 all business to business taxes.

A second benefit to the teachers is the cost of books would decrease because removing the hidden value added taxes (VATS) Fair Tax FAQ #17 would encourage businesses to pass the savings to the consumer in the form of lower prices.

Teachers,like every legal U.S. citizen, would receive 100% of their paychecks because the tax would be shifted from income to consumption. Their income would receive an additional benefit with the rebate Fair Tax FAQ #3 for taxes on essentials up to the poverty level.

Fair Tax ping!

[Once-Ler]

Please explain why a tax cut for teachers, who spend their own money for materials, is sickening? Other than adding a few more lines to an already bloated tax code, I find nothing to complain about.

[goodnesswins]

BECAUSE....the education system is BROKEN.....and this will NOT help educate students!

[Tired of Taxes]

Ping...

May be of interest to homeschoolers in Illinois.

If you want on/off this ping list, please let me know.

[Tired of Taxes]

Tax credit is given to teachers in my state. The truth is, many teachers do buy supplies with their own money. However, homeschool parents aren't given any tax credits here, which I'm not sure is a bad thing. On the one hand, we could use the credit considering the thousands we fork over every year for the school system; then again, I don't want to give the school a reason to put its foot in my door.

[Once-Ler]

I know the education sysem is broke. It is why my wife home schools our children. I don't see this taxcut as hurting the broken school system but it could have some benificial effects. I rarely find myself "sickened" by any tax cut.

[goodnesswins]

It FEEDS the system....that is a ravenous one....the education budget here in the State of Washington is 26 BILLION.....and they want more.......sorry....a tax cut for teachers will do NOTHING to help anything....except the WEA and NEA.....and THEY ARE LEECHES who will take credit for getting the tax credit. I would rather see a TAX CUT for HOMESCHOOLING parents!!!!

[sarasmom]

You must not have any direct knowledge of the "education market".

I do.
Typical scenario:
A particular school has a budget set in stone, whether they requested or needed, or even desired the "funds", the funds are allocated to specific purchases of designated items, and may not be used for anything but the designated items under those allocated "funds".
The school may have bought twenty $150.00 overhead projectors the previous "budget year", all of which work fine, and should continue to work for at least 3-15 years, if the "lamp" is changed about twice a year( 30 hour expected life) and basic maintenance is performed annually on the projector..The lamp costs $10.00.
In the "education market", the school is forbidden from purchasing the necessary $10.00 replacement lamp, but has plenty of "available allocated funds" to purchase a new replacement overhead projector.
Is that a fiscally sound expenditure policy? LOL!
Only in the realm of taxpayer funded government directives.
So the teacher buys the $10.00 lamp out of his/her pocket, if he/she can convince a supplier to accept their personal credit card, instead of a normal purchase order.
Small change, not deserving of tax breaks?
Well what if I told you the school can buy a brand new $5,000.00 copy machine w/ 20 reams of paper, but is forbidden from buying 20 reams of paper?
Now consider your company reimbursement policy.
If I ran out and bought a ream of paper my company needed, I would expect them to reimburse for it, including taxes paid.
Why expect classroom teachers to pay taxes for school supplies, and not be reimbursed the entire amount, including the sales tax?

[goodnesswins]

Your statement proves what I said....THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN....don't feed it. Make the teachers get sooooo mad that they DEMAND IT BE changed.....or let people teach their own kids....and give THEM THE TAX CREDITS FOR DOING SO!

[sarasmom]

The classroom teachers generally don't comprehend the system the educational administration have set up.
It is unreasonable to expect them to comprehend the incomprehensible.

It is up to us, the parents of public school children, to correct the situation.
Sadly, many parents would rather switch, than fight.
That's OK.
They have that "right". It is still a free country.
But they must understand that my child will evaluate their child based upon many factors, when considering them for employment in her company.

[goodnesswins]

I don't understand your last sentence....I was in HR and evaluated MANY an applicant.....what do you mean?

[Once-Ler]

I would rather see a TAX CUT for HOMESCHOOLING parents!!!!

Well we can agree there.

I just can't get worked up over a taxcut for someone else and I don't see all public school teachers as the enemy. To be sure there are many really bad teachers, and I think the good teachers get worn down by the system, and the union, and the liberal mindset of their collegues. But, I suspect teachers that spend their own money on students care more than those who do not, and I think the taxcut may help to small degree.

[blondee123]

You'd think Topinka would occupy herself with the REAL things that are wrong with Illinois since Blago was elected! GEEZ!