[nfbmi-talk] FW: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] Organization Says Senate Tax Bill Disastrous for Education, Employment of Blind Americans

[Shepherd, Amy]

Thanks for the updates Michael. I have called our state senators and passed
the information on to my group lists.
Sincerely,
Amy Shepherd

On Wed, Nov 29, 2017 at 4:39 PM, Michael Powell via NFBMI-Talk <
nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Hello to all.
>
> Below is a press release from our national office.
>
> We must keep putting on the pressure while we can.
>
> Michael Powell
>
> President
>
> NFB of Michigan
>
>
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>
>
>
> Organization Says Senate Tax Bill Disastrous for Education, Employment of
> Blind Americans
>
>
> National Federation of the Blind Denounces Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
>
>
>
> Baltimore, Maryland (November 29, 2017): The National Federation of the
> Blind officially opposes the United States Senate’s current Tax Cuts and
> Jobs Act (TCJA).
>
>
>
> The organization cites a probable dramatic increase in unemployment among
> blind Americans, which already approaches sixty percent, as the reason for
> its opposition.
>
>
>
> According to projections by the Congressional Budget Office, the losses in
> tax revenue under the TCJA will be so high, at least initially, that they
> will trigger the “pay-as-you-go” rules of the Office of Management and
> Budget. This will eliminate funding for vital programs and services for the
> blind, such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Individuals with
> Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding. These vital services link blind
> people to educational and employment opportunities by providing the
> training and resources that they need.
>
>
>
> The 2015 American Community Survey, the most recent data available,
> reported that, for working age adults reporting significant vision loss,
> only 42.0% were employed.
>
>
>
> “The detrimental impact the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have on blind
> Americans cannot be denied,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National
> Federation of the Blind. “This bill slams the door on education and
> vocational rehabilitation, and ultimately on employment, for some seven
> million blind Americans. We call upon the United States Senate either to
> protect these critical programs and services, or to vote no.”
>
>
>
> ###
>
>
>
> About the National Federation of the Blind
>
> The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is
> the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded
> in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the
> fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of
> blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families
> with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We
> believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to
> transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and
> initiatives at  <http://www.nfb.org> www.nfb.org.
>
>
>
> CONTACT:
>
> Chris Danielsen
>
> Director of Public Relations
>
> National Federation of the Blind
>
> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>
> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>
>  <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org
>
>
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> amyshepherd%40mpviweb.org
>
>


-- 
Amy Shepherd
MPVI President
www.mpviweb.org
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