[Nfbk] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert - November 10, 2017

[Cathy Jackson]

Yes, emailing your Congressman in addition to a call is exactly what we should do. I am definitely making another contact since it passed out of committee. I hope everyone will take the time to do likewise. 
Cathy

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 15, 2017, at 7:55 PM, Melanie Peskoe via NFBK <nfbk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Cathy and all,
> From my experience last week with calling congressman Yarmouth’s office, it would be wise to both call and email. When
> I called I spoke with a young lady who sounded very unenthusiastic about taking my message and in fact it didn’t sound like she was going to take my name until I asked if she needed any of my information. 
> 
> How often should we be calling the same representative about the same issue? Do we call once or weekly or even more? 
> 
> Thanks, 
> Melanie 
> 
>> On Nov 15, 2017, at 6:47 PM, Cathy Jackson via NFBK <nfbk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Good Evening,
>> I am once again urging each and everyone of you to call your Congressman regarding the proposed elimination of the standard tax deduction for the blind. Read below what John Pare has to say about the latest action taken by the Committee on Ways and Means. Thanks for your help 
>> Cathy
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> Begin forwarded message:
>> 
>>> From: "Pare, John via NFBNet-Members-List" <nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
>>> Date: November 10, 2017 at 4:38:24 PM EST
>>> To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert - November 10, 2017
>>> Reply-To: "Pare, John" <JPare at nfb.org>
>>> 
>>>  
>>> Dear Fellow Federationists: 
>>> The House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, favorably reported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act out of committee on Thursday, November 9. The bill now goes to the House floor. Please continue to call your representative and urge him or her to demand that the additional standard deduction for blind people be restored.
>>> A summary of the Senate companion bill, also called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, was released on Thursday, November 9. The Senate bill does not eliminate the additional standard deduction for the blind. This is extremely good news!
>>> Please call your two senators and urge them to continue to maintain the additional standard deduction for the blind. Please also ask them to vote for any amendment which incorporates the Access Technology Affordability Act (S. 732) into the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
>>> As a quick reminder, beginning in the 1940s, as a result of NFB’s advocacy, the IRS has included an additional standard deduction for blind people compared to non-blind people. This deduction reduces one’s taxable income and the corresponding amount of taxes a blind person has to pay. In 2017, the standard deduction for a non-blind person filing as single is $6,350 and the standard deduction for a blind person filing as single is $7,900, an increase of $1,550. As far as the effect this deduction has on how much in taxes one would have to pay, that depends on one’s individual tax situation.
>>>  
>>> The deduction is not intended to pay for a specific item, but all of the extra items that blind people have to pay for to live the lives we want. Examples include transportation, access technology, readers, Braille transcription, white canes, supplies for a guide dog, etc.
>>>  
>>> Your calls and emails are making a big difference so please keep them up! The best way to contact your member of Congress is to call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for the office in question. Emailing your member of Congress is also a good idea. If you do so, please copy me at JPare at nfb.org.
>>> Warm regards,
>>>  
>>> John
>>>  
>>> John G. Paré Jr. 
>>> Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy
>>> 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
>>> (410) 659-9314, extension 2218 | Jpare at nfb.org
>>>  
>>>  
>>> <12a1089.png> 
>>>  
>>>                          <12a1099.png>     <12a10a8.png>     <12a10b8.png> 
>>>  
>>> The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. 
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> 
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