Parsippany, NJ — At an event in Woodland Park today, Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) launched a summer-long campaign, the "Summer of SALT," as part of her continued fight to repeal the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap. The event brought together stakeholders from across New Jersey and national organizations to demonstrate how crucial it is to repeal the SALT deduction cap, which was imposed by the 2017 tax law, for families across New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.
At the Dowlings Garden Gazebo, Rep. Sherrill gathered local officials, community members, and union leaders to highlight the impact the SALT cap has on the ability of our communities to make key investments and the ability of our families to make ends meet.
Joining Rep. Sherrill to kickoff the campaign was President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten, Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark, Professional Firefighters Association of NJ Treasurer Matthew Caliente, Kyle Hughes of New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJ FMBA), President of Passaic County Education Associations (NJEA) Sue Butterfield, Immediate Past President of NJ Realtors Angela Sicoli, and Joan Murko, an adjunct professor at Saint Peter's University and a former health care worker who lives in Woodland Park. Additionally, Passaic County Commissioner Director Pat Lepore and Montclair Councilor-at-Large Bob Russo were also in attendance.
"The impact of the state and local tax deduction cap stretches to every town, county, and borough in my district. For New Jerseyans in the 11th District, the SALT deduction cap has imposed a harmful double tax and has created one of the largest marriage penalties in the federal tax code," said Rep. Sherrill. "This summer we are launching the ‘Summer of SALT' initiative to highlight the negative impact of the SALT deduction cap on residents of NJ-11, including our teachers, firefighters, health care workers, and seniors. I've been fighting for relief since my first day in office and this summer I'm turning up the heat on Congress to get this done."
"The SALT cap is a one-two punch to the middle class. Not only does it shift an unfair tax burden from millionaires onto nurses, educators, and public employees—the very people who got us through the brunt of this pandemic—but it also punishes communities that had the compassion and forethought to invest in public services," said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers. "Repealing the SALT cap gives the American middle class access to the opportunities that help them thrive. Congress needs to repeal the SALT cap before it causes even more financial pain for working families who cannot handle another blow."
"It really doesn't matter to me whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, whether you're a liberal or a conservative, the deduction — or the lack thereof — affects all of our bottom lines," said Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark. "Together, this should be an issue in New Jersey that we can be united on. We should lobby Congress to reverse the cap on the SALT deduction and restore it in full because it does have an adverse effect on the residents here in New Jersey."
"As the treasurer of the Professional Firefighters Association of NJ "PFANJ" and having my own accounting/tax preparation business, I have seen firsthand the effects of the $10,000 limit on the state and local tax deduction," said Matthew Caliente, Professional Firefighters Association of NJ Treasurer. "The PFANJ is committed to standing beside the Congresswoman and supporting the elimination of the SALT cap. We will be able to use all our resources that we have available to us in NJ and from our parent organization, the IAFF which represents 320,000 firefighters from around the country, to assist in the Congresswoman's fight. Because she has always fought for the specific needs of the firefighters in NJ, we will be there for her."
"Congresswoman Sherrill, by waging your fight to bring back the SALT deduction in full, you are supporting us and our families, and we can't say thank you enough for that," said Kyle Hughes of New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJ FMBA). "On behalf of the more than 5000 members of the NJFMBA, consider us as willing partners in your noble fight."
"The SALT limitation penalizes communities that invest in public education by making part or all of that investment taxable," said Sue Butterfield, President of Passaic County Education Associations (NJEA). "If a community in Passaic County decides to do the right thing for students and invest in infrastructure upgrades, student supports, and programs aimed at helping all students succeed, the money spent on those things in the form of local taxes may still get taxed by the federal government. That's completely backwards!"
"The reinstatement of the full SALT deduction remains one of the most critical issues facing New Jersey's housing market today," said Angela Sicoli, Immediate Past President of NJ Realtors. "Thank you, Congresswoman Sherrill, for your leadership on this issue."
Original source can be found here.
