Teachers lose tax breaks for class expenses

[mrboba1]

Is this Arnie's idea of helping?

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- If Doreen Seelig pocketed all the money she has spent on classroom supplies over 35 years as a teacher -- the printer cartridges, the paper, the pencils and the paperback books lent to her Venice High School students -- she figures she would have a new car by now.

Now, as the new school year gets under way, the burden on Seelig and other teachers around the country is even heavier.

Because of a budget crunch, California has suspended a tax credit that reimbursed teachers up to $1,500 for classroom supplies. Meanwhile, a $250 federal tax deduction for teachers that helped defray out-of-pocket spending expired this year.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/09/16/school.supplies.ap/index.html

[11 Bravo]

1. You can bet your bottom dollar

that if we made as much money as *'s asshole buddies in the oil bidness, teachers would be able to deduct in the high six figures each year for Scotch tape, chalk, and staples.

[skygazer]

2. Where is the logic?

Good ol' Arnie, gung ho for the children. Yeah, right. Every teacher I know spends a good deal of their own money on supplies. In fact, in a lot of the local stores, there have been donation bins for school supplies because the crunch is so bad. There's no logic in forcing teachers to purchase supplies in the first place - to take away the only financial incentive they have to do so is ridiculous.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

4. My sister-in-law will be so disappointed - NOT

She has been a teacher for 20+ years in a small private Catholic school. Of course she doesn't suffer from the same money constraints that teachers in public school have to endure. This is a very expensive school.

Her pay is much lower than public schools, has fewer benefits but she says that is offset by being "allowed" to teach a "higher" class of students. At the beginning of each school year the teachers in her school have a class meeting with the student's parents. They then pass around a list of needed items for the coming school year. Now, I'm not talking about extra crayons or pencils or Kleenex or note paper. The list includes - new computers or TV sets, need a parent to sponsor a variety of field trips (transportation, tickets, lunch, etc. - NOT cheap), science labs, video equipment, you get the idea. She told me that no matter how big the item - she has never, EVER had one single request not provided. Big ticket items so their little darlings can have an exclusive education away from the riff raff.

It is a shame that these parents don't support the public schools in such a way - think of what this country could do if all children were afforded an education with up-to-date books, good, well-paid teachers, equipped with science and computer labs, and an ability to learn in a safe, clean environment. Don't get me started!

[mrboba1]

5. But that would be

supporting the riff raff. Why should they help these kids who are too lazy to help themselves???
</sarcasm>

It is a shame that these parents don't support the public schools in such a way

[Bake]

3. This is a national disgrace.

But God bless all the dedicated teachers who give not only of themselves, but out of their own pockets to educate OUR children.

Meanwhile, let's give Cheney and Halliburton more tax cuts.

There is no justice in the universe.

Bake

[Democrat 4 Ever]

6. I am always amazed that the Repugs don't connect the dots

Education is the great silver bullet to creating more middle class tax payers. More middle class tax payers equates less taxes for the fat cats. A educated, working society - with less strain on social programs is the answer to America's money problems. If you are paying into the system - you aren't pulling out of the system and education is the key. I will always believe that most people want to pay their own way and if you give them the opportunity they will do just that. Not to the repugs, tho. If you need a hand up - then you are lazy, good for nothing, stealing from their pocket and their divine right to hold the lower class back. It is class based politics.

You would think just from a cost benefit analysis the repugs would consider it a good investment. I don't get it.