Grimm-McGovern-King-Blumenauer Lead Effort
WASHINGTON, DC—Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) President Edward Wytkind issues this statement in support of the Transit Parity Act introduced by Reps. Michael Grimm (R-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Peter King (R-NY) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR):
“The clock is ticking on a tax increase on working Americans unless Congress extends the tax credit on public transit benefits. There should be no debate over the need to spare Americans from a cut in transit benefits that help them afford commutes to work every day.
“There is no reason why those who choose to use our public transit systems should not be afforded the same tax breaks as those who drive to work and park. The Grimm-McGovern-King-Blumenauer bill simply ensures that those who want to ride transit are not disadvantaged by our tax code.
“Unless Congress and the President extend this tax credit beyond its expiration date of Jan. 1, 2014, almost 3 million Americans will see a tax increase or transit benefit cut. We will push lawmakers to move this bipartisan legislation and put transit and parking benefits on a level playing field.
“This bipartisan effort led by Reps. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Peter King (R-NY) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) is exactly the type of cooperation we need in Washington to pass common sense legislation that gets America working, and moving, again.”
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The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, represents 33 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, motor carrier, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit us at www.ttd.org or on Facebook and Twitter.
Contact: Jennifer Michels, jenniferm@ttd.org, 202.628.9262