No special tax breaks for teachers
California Senate Bill 807 would eliminate for teachers the paying of state income taxes.
Whoa, wait a minute. Taxes are the basis for your surroundings in a society. Where will the funds come from for highways, bridges, roads? Teachers drive on them. State parks? Teachers can enjoy them. California Highway Patrol? California fire crews? California Fish and Game? State grants to cities and towns?
Show me a teacher who does not benefit from any of these. Do not forget, state taxes provide a large portion of the education budgets.
To single out a specific occupation from paying taxes puts the burden on everyone else. If the “meager” starting salary is not high enough when you start, then do not spend money you do not have. Everyone should pay taxes – state and federal.
Ann Pardini, Fresno
This story was originally published March 18, 2017 at 12:51 PM with the headline "No special tax breaks for teachers."