http://benjacat.blogspot.com/2007/12/bout-that-240.html
While the Bicycle Commuter Act (HR 807) was included as part of the Energy Bill sent to the Senate, it was stripped from the bill along with several other "green initiatives" and " all tax provisions in the bill".
Below here is a link to a transcript of Ohio Representative (and House minority leader) John Boehner's prior remarks about the bill.
From: http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=80156
"... This is not what the American people want their money to go to.
"And although this is not an earmark, what I really liked in the bill was the $240 tax credit that we are going to provide every 15 months for people who regularly ride their bike to work for the purchase repair or storage of their bicycle. Now, amongst us, I know there's one of my colleagues that would probably benefit from this. I hope he's going to recuse himself when we vote.
"This is not going to solve America's energy problem. I think we ought to get serious as a country about energy independence and saving our future and the future for our kids. But while we are here dealing with this bill that doesn't frankly do much and will not solve our problem, think about what we haven't done. ..."
From: http://www.roadbikerider.com/currentissue.htm#shorts
Good news / bad news. The League of American Bicyclists reports that the Bicycle Commuter Act was included in the Comprehensive House Energy Bill on Dec. 6. Among other things, the act would give a tax credit to people who commute to work by bike. The idea is to offset costs associated with commuting (maintenance, repairs, bike storage) so more people will be encouraged to get out of cars and onto bicycles. Unfortunately, LAB reports, the Senate has seen fit to throw out all tax provisions in the bill. Hope remains, though, because that action will be reconsidered during a committee meeting. If you're a voter in Ohio or Washington, you may want to read what LAB terms "unfortunate remarks" about bike commuting by John Boehner (R-OH) and Doc Hastings (R-WA). They're highlighted in a PDF prepared by the League from the House debate: http://tinyurl.com/24w9l9
From: http://bikeportland.org/2007/12/14/bike-commuter-benefit-does-not-survive-senate-vote-on-energy-bill/ (at the bottom)
...
Here's a little bonus audio from Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) taking a pot-shot at the bike commuter provision of the "Pork laden" Energy Bill. (I recorded this from a YouTube video of comments he made on the House Floor on December 6th.)
From: http://www.bikedenver.org/news/bad-news-from-congress/
Sat 15 Dec 2007
Bad News from Congress
Posted by Bicycle Maniac under News
I normally don't do polemics, but my blood is about to boil in watching our not so good friend in the House of Representatives, John Boehner, trash the Bike Commuter Act (which was successfully stripped out of the transportation bill). Here, watch for yourself.
What Boehner doesn't mention is that right now, drivers get a deduction of up to $2580 per year, funded by you, the taxpayer, so that they can park their cars at work. In that context, a $240 per year deduction for people who choose to bike not only seems like the least we could do, IT STILL SEEMS GROSSLY UNFAIR. My favorite quote, "this isn't going to solve our energy crisis…" Great point John, so why do anything at all? If the opposite of Pro is Con, then is Congress the opposite of Progress? I think in John Boehner's case, Yes.
6 comments:
This is why the 16th Amendment needs to be repealed, thus abolishing the IRS. These politicians have no clue as to how the real world works. How can TAKING less money from a citizen COST the government money.
The reality is that deductions and spending is what politician use to make it look like they are doing something for the various lobbyists.
Why should someone have a deduction if the have a kid, a Hummer, or ride a bike? How about a flat national sales tax? I hope I live to see a day in this country where we do not have to file a return every spring.
THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN OUR LIVES IS TOO GREAT. IT IS TIME PEOPLE ACT LIKE ADULTS AND TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
Your question about deductions is really good. My initial answer was because deductions are available for other forms of 'green' transportation. But this is somewhat circular logic.
I don't know how much I trust 'people' to act like adults and to take care of themselves. Anarchy anyone? But I can't say that I trust the Government either... So who can you trust these days?
You don't need to trust anyone. Let oil prices sky rocket. People will find other ways to get around.
Let people sue if they are victims of pollution. Companies will quickly find new ways to do things!
I am not suggesting Anarchy, but personal responsibility and the government fixing things so that special interest groups are not running the country.
Such shortsightedness. Car drivers get subsidized everyday - freeways, bases to protect oil fields...
I think that it is shortsighted to believe that there is nothing wrong with this country and we can continue to operate as we have and expect things to be as prosperous for the following generations.
Car drivers also pay for licenses, plates, and tolls. Those fees could easily be raised to finance those things. It would force citizens to pay attention to where there money is spent and who they elect (officials that are not going to waste money).
Why do we need to get our energy from unstable foreign sources?
We do not need to be in the middle east. Our country wastes so much of our money on poor foreign policy and public welfare.
Have we exhausted our local resources? Wind power? Nuclear?
By the way I am not supporting Boehner. His argument for opposition of the deduction is inconsistent when you allow the humvee credit.
I wish that the government would get out of the way and allow the market to solve the energy 'problem'.
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