FEINGOLD
FIGHTS FOR PROTECTIONS FOR FAMILY FARMERS
Urges Farm Bill Conference Committee to Include Fair Tax Measure
February 25, 2008
Washington, D.C. –
U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is continuing his fight to ensure family
farmers and the self-employed remain eligible for the protections they
deserve. Feingold is urging members of the Farm Bill conference committee
to maintain in the final bill a provision similar to one he proposed
to update the tax code so farmers and other self-employed individuals
can remain eligible for Social Security and disability benefits. Currently,
bad weather or low commodity prices can adversely affect farmers, putting
their incomes and eligibility for benefits in jeopardy. The provision
would update the tax code to allow farmers and other self-employed individuals
the option to contribute more fully to Social Security and Medicare,
thus enhancing their eligibility for benefits under those programs.
“Farming can be a tough
business and I’m concerned when Wisconsin farmers tell me that
the tax code is preventing them from receiving full protections under
Social Security or hospital insurance under Medicare,” Feingold
said. “It is important for farmers and other self-employed individuals
to be able to protect their families in the event of death or disability.
The final Farm Bill should fix this injustice once and for all.”
The fair tax provision is
similar to the Farmer Fair Tax Act of 2007 that Feingold introduced
last year that gives farmers and self-employed individuals the option
of contributing to Social Security and Medicare sufficiently to maintain
eligibility for benefits. The provision would not force anyone to pay
more into the programs; it simply updates the tax code so individuals
can choose to keep their eligibility for much-needed protections. The
provision would be indexed for inflation, to ensure that this problem
does not happen again.
A copy of the letter can
be viewed here.
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