Shea-Porter Helps Pass Bipartisan Landmark Disabilities Bill

U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, NH-01, yesterday voted in favor of H.R. 647, the Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 404-17. Shea-Porter is a cosponsor of the legislation, which will support children with disabilities by creating a new kind of tax-favored savings account for their future needs.

“Families of kids with disabilities deserve support as they plan for their child’s future, and this bill will help parents prepare their children for a secure and fulfilling life. The families I have spoken with tell me this bill will bring them peace of mind when looking forward,” said Shea-Porter.

Currently, families can save for their children’s education through tax-favored 529 education savings accounts, but parents of children with disabilities do not have access to the same federal and state tax benefits to save for their child’s future expenses. The new accounts will allow them to save for future needs like education, housing, transportation and health care.

Shea-Porter has long been an outspoken advocate for Granite Staters living with disabilities. In 2009, she secured $800,000 in essential funding that allowed the creation of UNH’s National Center on Inclusive Education, an institution which has become a national leader on improving services for students with autism.

Also, the Classroom Expense Deduction was included in a bipartisan package that passed the House by a vote of 378-46.

“I am very happy that when teachers file their taxes next year, they’ll have this modest recognition of the financial sacrifices they make for our kids,” said Shea-Porter.

Last October, Shea-Porter introduced H.R.3318, the Reimburse Educators who Pay for Academic Year (REPAY) Supplies Act, and built an active coalition of 68 bipartisan cosponsors. Throughout 2014, she led bipartisan letters and advocacy efforts, speaking with colleagues on both sides of the aisle about the importance of extending this deduction.

Shea-Porter began her efforts in response to a letter she received from Margaret Morse-Barry, an educator from Derry, New Hampshire, who urged Shea-Porter to look into extending the expiring tax deduction.

“For teachers, educating students is much more than just a day job,” said Shea-Porter. “They come to school early, stay late, and give up their own time and money to create welcoming and engaging classroom environments. The Classroom Expense Deduction lets us put some of that money back in teachers’ pockets, mitigating the financial sacrifices they make on behalf of their students.”

Supporters of Shea-Porter’s legislation include the National Education Association (NEA), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), NEA--New Hampshire Chapter, AFT--New Hampshire Chapter, and the New Hampshire School Administrators Association.

Submitted text.