The odd things tucked into the GOP tax plan

Axios ^ | 12/2/17 | Haley Britzky

[DoodleDawg]

The GOP tax plan was passed through the Senate Friday night in a 51-49 vote. There are a number of things included in the last-minute text, including a provision by Sen. Gardner of Colorado that exempts Kombucha, a fermented tea drink, from alcoholic taxes and regulations.

Why it matters: These are small examples of what got slipped in the bill last-minute as the Senate vote neared, and reveals some of the senators' pet projects back in their home states.

Odd amendments included in the tax plan:

Sen. Orrin Hatch

Prohibit things like cash and gift cards to be given as employee achievement awards. Makes qualifying private religious school tuition deductible.

Sen. Joni Ernst

Eliminate Congress' tax deduction for living expenses in D.C. Per the Omaha World-Herald, Ernst said: "Congress should lead by example and offer up its own unnecessary tax break."

Sen. Jerry Moran

Treat Indian tribal governments as State governments for specific Federal tax purposes, and others.

Sen. Pat Toomey

Tax exemption for Hillsdale College (and only Hillsdale College) in Michigan. The small Christian college has connections to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. It was ultimately struck out of the Senate's final version of the bill.

Sen. Dan Sullivan

Exempts cruise ships from taxes while docking in Alaska.

Sen. Cory Gardner

Exempts kombucha, a fermented tea, from alcoholic beverage excise taxes and regulations. Allow deductions and credits relating to expenditures in connection with legal marijuana sales

[DoodleDawg]

Only reason I posted this is because of Joni Ernst's amendment. Is there anyone who thinks that it will survive the reconciliation with the House?

[Nicojones]

I heard that another rider attached at the last minute eliminated tax credits for electric cars. If so, great move! We shouldn’t be subsidizing liberal elite driving choices.

[Lisbon1940]

I think Hillsdale should get the tax break.

[DoodleDawg]

I think Hillsdale should get the tax break.

Why?

[SubMareener]

The problem is that, IIRC, Grove City College also refuses Federal Aid so it should have been a general provision.

[PIF]

Last nite someone said that the house will vote on the bill as is - no reconciliation. True or false?

[3ZZZ]

Me too. They give much more than they take. Free online Constitution courses, great speakers and studies...great newsletter also, etc.

[DFG]

More info about the Hillsdate College tax break:

Senate Democrats Blatantly Lied About Hillsdale College

https://thefederalist.com/2017/12/02/senate-democrats-blatantly-lied-hillsdale-college/

[Pontiac]

Is there anyone who thinks that it will survive the reconciliation with the House?

My first thought as well.

I was going to offer odds.

[Drango]

Can’t we defund NPR/PBS? They act like the propaganda wing of the DNC.

[Leep]

I’m surprised they didn’t legalize rape and murder for government officials..

[SunkenCiv]

• We Win! Taxes Cut for All!

  12/01/2017 11:56:11 PM PST · by Jim Robinson · 91 replies

  Breitbart | Dec 1, 2017 | by SEAN MORAN

  The Senate passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Thursday, which serves as one of the final steps for Congress to pass historic tax legislation. The Senate passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 51-49, almost entirely along party lines, with Vice President Mike Pence presiding over the vote. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) voted against the bill, and 48 Democrats voted against the tax reform legislation as well. Reluctant Republican senators such as Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) voted for the bill after last minute changes were made. Flake received a commitment from Republican leadership and the...

[2111USMC]

One of the most important isn’t listed.

It includes a repeal of the Obamacare mandate.

[Architect of Avalon]

Bastards are bastards 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

[SVTCobra03]

They should have made it retroactive to Jan.1, 2017.

[DoodleDawg]

So they won’t take federal funds but would take a federal tax exempt status? Sounds hypocritical to me.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Because they are lying about it being the only college that gets a tax break.

There are five or six other collages that would get the break as well. Since they do not take federal funding then it is only fair that their endowments not be taxed.

[KarlInOhio]

I think Hillsdale should get the tax break.

They should be treated the same as any other college. I don't know if they are officially non-profit or for profit, but I see no reason to treat them specially. The idea of tax reform should be to eliminate all of these single use laws and exceptions. Instead it looks like tax "simplification" is actually complicating the tax code.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Say what?

So a charity that does not take federal funds should eschew federal tax exempt status?

[DoodleDawg]

Since they do not take federal funding then it is only fair that their endowments not be taxed.

Why? Not taking federal funds is their choice. Why should that get them out of taxes?