Taxes

The cost of everything, from energy to education, is on the rise, and taxpayers need a break.  I cannot support and will not vote for legislation that unfairly raises taxes on the middle class.   In addition, I am strong supporter of pay-go which means before another government program is created, before it is passed, it must be paid for by a reduction somewhere else in the federal budget.

The very first bill I introduced provides tax relief on one of the biggest burdens taxpayers face – their property taxes.  My bill, the Universal Homeowner Tax Cut of 2008, is a simple approach to helping out taxpayers.  It provides a supplemental deduction for property taxes available to those who do not itemize their taxes.  The federal government already reimburses taxpayers for state and local taxes, but only if one itemizes.  Almost 40 percent of homeowners do not itemize their tax returns and thus do not receive any property tax relief.