Randy Kuhl on Tax Reform Republican Representative (NY-29)

Tax cuts and deregulations are pro-growth and pro-jobs

Voted NO on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income.

1. increase and extend through 2008 the alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption amounts;
2. extend through 2008 the offset of personal tax credits against AMT tax liabilities; Reference: Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act; Bill H.R.6275 ; vote number 2008-455 on Jun 25, 2008

   Voted NO on paying for AMT relief by closing offshore business loopholes.

   H.R.4351: To provide individuals temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax (AMT), via an offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits. [The AMT was originally intended to apply only to people with very high incomes, to ensure that they paid a fair amount of income tax. As inflation occurred, more people became subject to the AMT, and now it applies to people at upper-middle-class income levels as well. Both sides agree that the AMT should be changed to apply only to the wealthy; at issue in this bill is whether the cost of that change should be offset with a tax increase elsewhere or with no offset at all. -- ed.]

   Proponents support voting YES because:

   Rep. RANGEL: We have the opportunity to provide relief to upward of some 25 million people from being hit by a $50 billion tax increase, which it was never thought could happen to these people. Almost apart from this, we have an opportunity to close a very unfair tax provision, that certainly no one has come to me to defend, which prevents a handful of people from having unlimited funds being shipped overseas under deferred compensation and escaping liability. Nobody, liberal or conservative, believes that these AMT taxpayers should be hit by a tax that we didn't intend. But also, no one has the guts to defend the offshore deferred compensation. So what is the problem?

   Opponents recommend voting NO because:

   Rep. McCRERY: This is a bill that would patch the AMT, and then increase other taxes for the patch costs. Republicans are for patching the AMT. Where we differ is over the question of whether we need to pay for the patch by raising other taxes. The President's budget includes a 1-year patch on the AMT without a pay-for. That is what the Senate passed by a rather large vote very recently, 88-5. The President has said he won't sign the bill that is before us today. Republicans have argued against applying PAYGO to the AMT patch. In many ways PAYGO has shown itself to be a farce.

   Reference: AMT Relief Act; Bill HR4351 ; vote number 2007-1153 on Dec 12, 2007

   Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends.

   Vote to reduce federal spending by $56.1 billion over five years by retaining a reduced tax rate on capital gains and dividends, as well as.
   • Decreasing the number of people that will be required to pay the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
   • Allowing for deductions of state and local general sales taxes through 2007 instead of 2006
   • Lengthening tax credits for research expenses
   • Increasing the age limit for eligibility for food stamp recipients from 25 to 35 years
   • Continuing reduced tax rates of 15% and 5% on capital gains and dividends through 2010
   • Extending through 2007 the expense allowances for environmental remediation costs (the cost of cleanup of sites where petroleum products have been released or disposed)
   Reference: Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act; Bill HR 4297 ; vote number 2005-621 on Dec 8, 2005

   Rated 0% by the CTJ, indicating opposition to progressive taxation.

   Kuhl scores 0% by the CTJ on taxationissues

   OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2005-2006 CTJ scores as follows:

   • 0% - 20%: opposes progressive taxation (approx. 235 members)
   • 21% - 79%: mixed record on progressive taxation (approx. 39 members)
   • 80%-100%: favors progressive taxation (approx. 190 members)
   About CTJ (from their website, www.ctj.org):

   Citizens for Tax Justice, founded in 1979, is not-for-profit public interest research and advocacy organization focusing on federal, state and local tax policies and their impact upon our nation. CTJ's mission is to give ordinary people a greater voice in the development of tax laws. Against the armies of special interest lobbyists for corporations and the wealthy, CTJ fights for:

   • Fair taxes for middle and low-income families
   • Requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share
   • Closing corporate tax loopholes
   • Adequately funding important government services
   • Reducing the federal debt
   • Taxation that minimizes distortion of economic markets
   Source: CTJ website 06n-CTJ on Dec 31, 2006

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