Michelle Steel had an Op-Ed in today’s SB Sun, talking about the important issue of teacher tax credit.  Below is excerpt of the story.  To read it in its entirety please chick here.

State should not end teacher tax credit

By: Michelle Steel

School's out for summer, but it's no reason for San Bernardino County teachers to spend time at the beach. If the state Assembly gets its way, local teachers could arrive at classrooms this fall without the benefit of an important tax credit. In a rush to make their summer recess, the Assembly has approved a state budget that permanently eliminates California's Teacher's Tax Credit.
Since its creation, the Teacher's Tax Credit has provided over half a billion dollars in tax relief for California's teachers. Qualifying K-12 teachers receive anywhere from $250 to $1,500 in tax relief for their out-of-pocket expenses. In 2003, the last state budget to fund the tax credit, over 200,000 teachers received an average of $748 in tax relief.

The state Senate, which has stalled passage of the Assembly's version of the budget, should refuse to pass any budget that permanently repeals this vital tax credit. Republican state Senators, all of whom publicly signed Americans for Tax Reform's Taxpayer Protection Pledge, especially, have motivation to oppose this blatant tax increase.

In 2000, the Legislature created the tax credit to combat two common problems plaguing teachers: high out-of-pocket classroom expenses and terrible teacher retention rates. By the time the state's education dollars trickle down to the classroom, very little money is left over for common classroom supplies. California's selfless teachers invariably supplement their classroom budgets with personal funds. According to the National School Supply and Equipment Association, teachers nationwide spend an average of $1,752 in out-of-pocket expenses for classroom supplies and instructional materials.

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