Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Brian Baird will record a satellite feed today, outlining his latest efforts to restore sales tax equity for Washington State and extend the child-tax credit to working families across America.

Currently citizens of states without an income tax are unable to deduct their state and local sales taxes on their federal returns. Baird has been a leader in the House on the sales tax fairness issue, working with his bi-partisan colleagues from the seven effected states to fix this unjust tax provision. By disallowing state sales tax deductions, but retaining state income tax deductions in the federal code, people in some states are forced to pay higher taxes to the federal government than others. All taxpayers in this country should be treated equally by the federal government, regardless of the system of taxation their state enacts.  House Majority Leader Tom Delay’s recent comments recognizing the importance of this issue have encouraged Baird and his colleagues who are working to correct this unfair tax provision.. 

Baird is also a co-sponsor of legislation that will provide benefits to the 12 million children of working families who were left out of the May 23rd Republican tax cut package, including 310,000 children in Washington State alone.  During a last minute deal between House and Senate Republicans, congressional leaders omitted families who earn between $10,500 and $26,625 a year from receiving the child tax credit, however, the credit was given to other income brackets, including those in the top 5 percent bracket, in the final bill.

Baird’s comments will be available to all TV stations via satellite feed beginning at 4pm today.  The satellite feed will contain Rep. Baird’s comments, in addition to several other Members.

Satellite Feed Coordinates:

Time Available: 4 PM EST

Galaxy 3
Transponder 2
Down-link Frequency 3740 Vertical
C-Band
Standard Audio (6.2 / 6.8)

If you have technical problems obtaining the satellite feed, please contact: (202) 262-9940

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