ACTION: CALL TO SLOWdOWN THE TRUMP TAX SCAM

From Indivisible Oregon...

**CALL TO ACTION**
Thursday, November 9, 2017
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GOP TAX PLAN – “SIMPLE” IS NOT SIMPLE OR BETTER
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#TrumpTaxScam
#NotOnePenny
#WhenWeFightWeWin

The GOP claimed that their “tax reform” bill makes paying taxes so easy that “…9 out of 10 Americans can file using a postcard-style system…” Now they admit that won’t happen.

Millions of ordinary people will lose all or some critical tax benefits, including deductions or credits for:
• medical expenses -- especially important for those treated for infertility and the very sick and old with incomes under $75,000
• state and local taxes
• mortgage interest
• adoption
• student loan interest
• expenses for professional education
• moving expenses

The Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits would be eliminated. Even the small deduction for teachers who purchase classroom supplies would be axed! Since fewer people would be able to itemize, charitable giving is expected to fall by $13 billion annually.

The planned increase in the standard deduction (an increase which is offset by the elimination of the $4050 per person personal exemption) will not make up for the elimination of these popular tax benefits.

Taxpayers in higher tax states like Oregon will be especially hurt by this plan. Our Members of Congress must stop the Trump Tax Scam -- a huge give-away to the wealthiest.

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**ACTION 1: CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE**
(or leave a message after hours!)

SAMPLE SCRIPT for our Senators
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code].  I am very concerned about the GOP tax plan, which will eliminate or limit many popular tax benefits helping millions of Americans. I’d like to thank the Senator for standing up against this tax plan. I’m asking him to do more: to actively work to slow down the Trump Tax Scam by withholding unanimous consent and using any other procedural tools available. Please take down my info so you can let me know what he/she is doing to slow down the Trump Tax Scam.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT for our Blumenauer, Bonamici, and DeFazio
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code].  I am very concerned about the GOP tax plan, which will eliminate or limit many popular tax benefits helping millions of Americans. I’d like to thank the Congressperson for standing up against this tax plan. But it’s not enough just to vote no, he/she needs to actively work to slow down the Trump Tax Scam and expose it for the scam it is. Please take down my info so you can let me know what he/she is doing to slow down the Trump Tax Scam.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Schrader and Walden
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code].  I’m calling to let [Congressman] know that I strongly oppose the tax bill released by the House Republicans on November 2. This tax bill is a scam which will eliminate or limit many popular tax benefits helping millions of Americans. The planned increase in the standard deduction, which is offset by the loss of the personal exemption, will not make up for the loss of deductions for state and local taxes or medical expenses for long-term health care, among many others.  Please take down my contact information so you can let me know what the [Congressman] decides to do.

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**ACTION 2: SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY**
Share this post with friends and family. Help them call their Members of Congress

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**PHONE NUMBERS**

SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129

SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691

CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010
 
CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
 
CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300
 
CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732,  
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609
 
CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100,

** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**