AFT member Dorothy Egbufor was on Capitol Hill on Sept. 26 to ask Congress not to pull the plug on a modest tax relief package that teachers and paraprofessionals depend on. A classroom teacher for more than eight years, most recently teaching kindergarten at Seaton Elementary School in Washington, D.C., Egbufor spoke at a press conference held by the Congressional Democratic leadership to call attention to the GOP majority's failure to preserve modest tax help for working Americans—while consistently fast-tracking excessive tax cuts for wealthy individuals.

At risk of expiring without congressional action is a $250 tax credit for educators who buy school supplies for their students. "Over the past several years, I personally have spent well over $5,000 of my own money to help meet the instructional needs of my students," said Egbufor. Even though the current $250 federal income tax credit covers only a fraction of the cost, educators continue to dig deep into their own pockets "so we can provide our students with the best possible learning environments," she added.  (Tell your own story.  Send a message to Congress.)

Also due to expire without action in this Congress is a broader tax deduction of up to $4,000 for college tuition that is of special value to educators, Egbufor stressed. This benefits teachers and paraprofessionals who continue their education through graduate and professional development programs and is directly tied to their ability to "deliver a high-quality education to all of their students," she added. It also is essential in helping classroom educators reach new professional requirements and deepen their subject matter knowledge, she said.

The willingness of GOP congressional leaders to skip town for the October recess without addressing these concerns speaks volumes about their priorities, said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) who participated in the press event. "When the average family sits around the kitchen table and asks what has Congress done this year, they probably can't come up with an answer," Schumer said. "This Republican Congress has wasted precious time and squandered the last four months by focusing fantastical, rather than real issues.

And when it comes to protecting the middle class, the greatest affront of all is the Republicans allowing the college tuition tax deduction to expire. It's the most clear-cut case of Republicans putting the cares of the a few wealthy Americans over the needs of millions of middle class who are being crushed by the rising cost of college."

September 26, 2006