Week in Review
Tax Reform Update: Fighting for Central New York’s Priorities |
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I'd like to provide an update as the House and Senate work to finalize a tax reform package. Throughout this process, I've continued to advocate for the best interests of Central New York. Below, I’ve outlined some of the key provisions that I've advocated for, and which I am hopeful will be included in the final tax legislation:
Graduate Student Tuition: I oppose the repeal of the income exclusion for graduate tuition waivers. As home to numerous colleges and universities, Central New York is a hub for higher education and research. Our colleges and universities contribute greatly to our local economy, and a tax on graduate waivers could potentially inhibit the economic growth that tax reform promises for our region. That’s why I’ve urged leaders in the House and Senate to remove this provision from the final bill.
Retaining Historic Tax Credit: Throughout Central New York, we’ve seen the vast economic benefit achieved in preserving some of our region’s oldest and most historic buildings. There is no greater example of this than the revitalization of Downtown Syracuse. Without the Historic Tax Credit, much of our local resurgence would not have been possible. This credit has allowed the rehabilitation of many income-producing properties, increased employment opportunities, and provided low-income housing in some of the most impoverished sectors of our community. It is critical that we continue to encourage and allow these vital investments, and I’ve urged leaders to retain the Federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC).
Retaining tax-exempt status for private activity bonds (PABs): As we begin to look towards a much-needed investment in our infrastructure in Congress, I’ve emphasized to leaders the importance of maintaining tax-exempt status for private activity bonds (PABs). As a leader of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus infrastructure workgroup, I recognize that an elimination of the tax exempt status for PABs would inhibit our efforts to make major investments in infrastructure. Moreover, PABs are important financing tools in a wide range of projects in Central New York -- from hospitals and schools to airports and local water facilities.
Property Tax Deduction: I’m proud to have played an instrumental and tangible role in restoring a $10,000 deduction for local property taxes. In a high-tax state like New York, this is critical for homeowners who choose to itemize.
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| Fighting for Flood Relief for Cayuga County |
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Following a summer of persistently high water levels and unprecedented flooding in communities along the Lake Ontario shoreline, I urged the President to support the Governor’s request for a disaster declaration for the many shoreline communities affected. This month, while many other counties in New York State were granted aid, Cayuga County was denied federal assistance. Following this denial, I joined Rep. Louise Slaughter to send a bipartisan letter urging FEMA to reconsider this aid request. The exclusion of both individual and public assistance for these two counties jeopardizes the recovery efforts for more than 800,000 of our constituents. These grants are essential for the continued operation of several localities along the shoreline as recovery efforts continue to incur high costs. You can read the text of this letter below.
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| Leading Bipartisan Efforts to Rebuild America's Infrastructure |
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I’m committed to addressing the critical infrastructure needs of our community and our nation. In Congress, I'm heading up the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus’ working group on infrastructure -- a group dedicated to developing a bipartisan infrastructure plan. In our efforts to research and present the most sustainable reforms, we’ve met with countless surface transportation, port, aviation, water, energy, and broadband infrastructure stakeholders.
In the coming month, our group will present a report outlining our priorities as we move towards infrastructure reform in Congress. I look forward to working with members of the working group and the Problem Solvers Caucus as we finalize and release our infrastructure report.
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| Legislative Update: Bipartisan Secret Service Bill Passes House |
The House recently passed bipartisan legislation I introduced with Rep. Elijah Cummings to ensure that the men and women of the U.S. Secret Service are paid for the overtime they work. We must ensure the hardworking men and women of the United States Secret Service are compensated for the critical work that they perform. While most Americans know the Secret Service for its role in protecting the President and First Family, many are unaware of the additional roles and countless hours worked by Special Agents, Uniformed Division Officers, technical personnel, and intelligence professionals. These jobs require extensive travel, often on short notice, as well as sometimes working multiple weeks in a row without a day off, because the security of our Nation’s leaders depends on their constant vigilance. Click below to hear my remarks on the House floor in support of this legislation.
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As always, thank you for subscribing to my e-newsletter!
Sincerely,
John Katko (NY-24)
Member of Congress
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