Quick Action
Republicans have reached an agreement on the GOP Tax Scam worth $1.5 trillion in giveaways mostly to the rich. A vote is expected next week. Stay tuned for new talking points, which we’ll post as soon as we are able to see what’s in the bill. In the meantime: attend a tax scam event near you, and keep up the pressure on Susan Collins to let her know that her constituents are overwhelmingly opposed to both bills.
Trump Administration & Federal Govt Working Group C2A
LATE BREAKING UPDATE: House and Senate Republicans have reached an agreement on the GOP Tax Scam worth $1.5 trillion in giveaways mostly to the rich. A vote is expected next week. Few details have been released and we will update the action when we have more information.
THE ISSUE
With tax plans having passed both the House and Senate, GOP leadership must now take the two bills to conference committee and work out a compromise plan. The bill is likely to emerge from conference by the end of this week, and could face a vote as early as next week. Many of the concessions that Collins won from Trump and McConnell may not be acceptable to House Republicans, which could cause Collins to change her vote. Keep up the pressure!
JOIN A TAX SCAM EVENT!
Friday 12/15 in AUBURN: 3:30pm Longley Bridge
Friday 12/15 TWO events in PORTLAND: http://bit.ly/2Au4z0F and http://bit.ly/2y8fveg
Sunday 12/17 in BANGOR: http://bit.ly/2o71Ggs
Monday 12/18 in PORTLAND: http://bit.ly/2jZOQfo
Five critical talking points to use for your calls to Collins:
1. No Guarantee GOP Will Follow Through on Concessions: While Collins seems to believe that McConnell and Ryan will honor their promises not to cut Medicare and Medicaid to offset the plan’s massive increase to the deficit, there is no guarantee it won’t still happen. And while her Alexander-Murray bill may be brought to a vote, there is no guarantee that it will pass among a party determined to see the ACA fail. If the GOP follows through on the Senate’s plan to repeal the ACA’s individual mandate, four million Americans–including 15,000 Mainers–will lose their insurance next year, and health care premiums will rise by 10% per year over the next decade.
2. Doesn’t Grow Economy: The non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation projected that the Senate bill would increase the size of the economy by just 0.8% over 10 years, well short of the 3% growth the Trump administration predicts.
3. Increases the Deficit: The independent Tax Policy Center and the Penn Wharton Budget Model each released a dynamic analysis of the Senate bill, and found that it would add slightly to economic growth over a decade, but not by nearly enough to offset lost tax revenues. Their estimates put the addition to the deficit between $1.3-$1.8 TRILLION.
4. Prioritizes the Rich: Under House and Senate plans, the richest 0.1 percent of Americans will get an average $278,370 reduction in their tax bill by 2027, while the poorest two-fifths of the country get around $25.
5. Unpopular With Constituents: Only 32% of Americans approve of this tax plan. Collins’ contituents understand how this plan works. They know the majority of the tax benefits go to the very wealthy and big businesses already flush with cash. They know that corporate tax cuts benefit CEOs and shareholders, not workers. And they know that after 10 years, 50% of Americans will see their tax bills go UP.
The ten most important differences between the two plans:
1. The Deficit
Senate: Raises by $1 trillion.
House: Raises by $1.7 trillion (which may violate Senate rules)
2. ACA Mandate
Senate: Eliminates it, causing 13 million people to lose health insurance, and raising rates by 10%.
House: Preserves it.
3. Individual Provisions Expiration
Senate: Most expire in 2025, and taxes will then be raised on 50% of Americans.
House: Most are permanent, but heavily favor the wealthy.
4. Education Deductions
Senate: Doubles teachers’ school supply deduction, keeps graduate student tuition waivers and student loan interest deduction, adds tax incentives for private school tuition.
House: Eliminates teachers’ school supply deduction, graduate student tuition waivers, and student loan interest deduction.
5. Child Tax Credit
Senate: Increases it to $2,000 from $1,000, but the additional $1,000 would not be refundable, so most poor and middle class will not benefit from the increase. Makes the full credit available to higher income families. Temporarily increases dependent age to 18.
House: Increases it to $1,600 from $1,000, but the additional $600 would not be refundable. Makes it available to higher income families.
6. Mortgage Interest Deduction
Senate: Keeps it as is.
House: Halves the amount of mortgage debt on which interest may be deducted.
7. State and Local Tax Deduction
Senate: Caps deductions at $10,000
House: Eliminates all but a $10,000 real estate deduction.
8. Medical Expense Deduction
Senate: Keeps it and temporarily lowers qualifying income.
House: Eliminates it.
9. Alternative Minimum Tax
Senate: Keeps it, but temporarily raises amount of money exempt.
House: Repeals it, making it possible for some wealthy people to avoid paying taxes.
10. Estate Tax
Senate: Benefits wealthy heirs by doubling the exemption levels to $11 million for individuals and $22 million for couples.
House: Greatly benefits wealthy heirs by doubling the exemption levels for six years and repealing the estate tax in 2024.
THE ACTION
- Keep the pressure on Collins (202-224-2523) and Poliquin (202-225-6306)! Use the information above to let them know what parts of their plans will hurt (or disgust) you the most.
- Write a letter to the editor to help infom your neighbors and friends. Need help? Contact our Letter to the Editor Project for assistance: lteproject17@gmail.com
- Join a rally near you! Are you mad about these plans? Good. Join others to make your displeasure even more noticeable! This week tax scam events are happening HERE:
Friday 12/15 in AUBURN: 3:30pm Longley Bridge
Friday 12/15 TWO events in PORTLAND: http://bit.ly/2Au4z0F and http://bit.ly/2y8fveg
Sunday 12/17 in BANGOR: http://bit.ly/2o71Ggs
Monday 12/18 in PORTLAND: http://bit.ly/2jZOQfo
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
