Latest news with #Mamaroneck
Forbes
02-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Return Of Country Club Dues Deduction Is More Defensible Than SALT
Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. (Photo by) While the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanently cut the corporate tax rate, a move that effectively ended corporate inversions as a going concern, the bill's personal income tax rate cuts are set to expire at the end of 2025. Congress and the White House are now working to sign a bill later this summer that would prevent end-of-year income tax hikes. Following the House of Representatives' passage last week of a tax bill that would prevent a rise in all income tax rates at the end of the year, the action now moves to the Senate. One aspect of the House tax bill that many are calling on the Senate to drop from its version is the increase in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction from $10,000 to $40,000, with a phaseout of that benefit at $500,000. In the lead up to House passage of the tax bill, President Donald Trump warned congressional Republicans that raising the SALT deduction cap would 'benefit Democrat governors' who, Trump added, 'are destroying our country.' But the SALT boost was reportedly a necessity of passage in the House, as there are enough Republican lawmakers from California and New York who were willing to kill the bill unless it included a SALT deduction hike. 'New York has the highest tax burden of any state in the country,' Congressman Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), one of the leading voices calling for a higher SALT deduction, posted on X. 'We need to raise the cap on SALT to deliver relief for middle-class families across New York.' 'While politicians in states like New York and California point to the SALT deduction as a middle class benefit, the numbers tell a far different story,' contends Jonathan Williams, president and chief economist at the American Legislative Exchange Council. 'The SALT deduction is a mechanism for socializing the costs of big government policies in a few states across the rest of the nation.' In a May 25 post on X, investor and author David Bahnsen explained the challenges House Republicans have created for themselves given the way they increased the SALT deduction cap, which Bahnsen describes as 'the dumbest risk-reward politically imaginable': 'There are practically no tax filers under 150k income who itemize, and even less with a higher, permanent standard deduction coming. And there are some, but very few between 200 and 400k. The VAST majority of people this hit were well over 500k (and with the lower marginal brackets and AMT relief of the 2017 bill it was higher than that before it resulted in a negative impact).' Bahnsen goes on to warn that, due to the way the House tax bill is structured 'they basically are INCREASING taxes for virtually anyone who was begging them to lift the SALT cap, they are infuriating people under 200k income who see them bending over backwards (or pretending to) for higher earners, and the only real benefit will come to a very small piece of W2 employees who earn between 200 and 400 and happen to itemize.' It's well documented how the benefits of a larger SALT deduction go predominantly to the highest income households. Critics of the SALT deduction, however, also note that it subsidizes the most profligate states and cities in the country at the expense of taxpayers who live in more responsibly governed jurisdictions. That's why some conservatives even argue that it would be more defensible for congressional Republicans to reinstate the income tax deduction for country club dues than it would be to increase the SALT deduction. Until 1994, taxpayers could deduct a percentage of country club membership dues payments if the taxpayer's use of the club was mostly for business purposes. The tax bill that President Bill Clinton signed into law on August 10, 1993 repealed that deduction. The 1993 tax bill also ended deductibility of airline club costs. 'Airline clubs at airports, which often contain meeting rooms and other office facilities, have been popular places to conduct business on the road, as have networks of clubs,' Reuters reported in November 1993. 'A spokesman for American Airlines, which charges $150 annually for use of its 41 Admiral's Clubs around the world, said it recently saw a sudden increase in people asking about buying lifetime memberships in the hope of writing off the dues once and for all in the current tax year.' Resurrection of the country club dues deduction would, like the SALT deduction, primarily benefit upper-income filers. Yet reinstatement of the country club dues deduction wouldn't provide an incentive for state and local lawmakers to tax and spend more than they otherwise would like the SALT deduction does. 'A lot of business meetings happen at country clubs and airline private lounges,' says Ryan Ellis, president of the Center for a Free Economy and an IRS-enrolled agent in charge of a tax preparation firm, 'There's a much better argument for the tax deductibility of these dues (especially for business owners) in red states around the country than there is to justify a really high property tax rate on some McMansion in Westchester County, New York.' 'If Congress is going to revisit tax deductions, restoring SALT is the worst option—it props up fiscally reckless states and shifts the burden to responsible taxpayers,' said Vance Ginn, staff economist at Americans for Tax Reform and president of Ginn Economic Consulting. 'At least a deduction for business-related club dues doesn't incentivize bloated government.' 'But the real reform we need is sustainable budgeting that spends less today while limiting growth to what families can afford—population growth plus inflation,' added Ginn, who previously worked at the White House Office of Management and Budget. 'Washington should stop rewarding bad fiscal behavior and start promoting pro-growth rules that let people prosper.' 'The political incentives are clear enough — elected officials from high tax generally, blue states want to shield their constituents from the consequences of their state's policies without doing the hard work of reducing spending or reining in tax burdens at the state level,' Williams added. 'If residents of New York or California want expensive government services, of course, that's their right. But they should pay for it themselves, directly and transparently. They should not expect working families in Texas or Tennessee or Indiana to subsidize their choices through higher SALT in the federal tax code.' There is a vocal contingent on Capitol Hill calling for a larger SALT deduction. No politician or pundit from either party, meanwhile, is advocating for the reinstatement of the country club dues deduction. Yet, if forced to choose between the reinstatement of the country club membership dues deduction or a more generous SALT deduction, many conservatives will concede there is a stronger case to be made for the country club deduction. That says less about the merits of the dues deduction, however, than it does about the adverse effects of the SALT deduction, for which some Republicans on the Hill have gone to the mat.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lohud.com will post school election results as they come in on Tuesday, May 20
School district elections take place Tuesday, May 20, and will post results as we get them for districts in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. Polling hours vary but most districts close polls by 9 or 9:30 p.m. Look for lohud to start posting results shortly after 9:30 p.m. for small districts, although it usually takes several hours for some districts to release results. Registered voters will be asked to approve school board proposals for 2025-26 and choose school board candidates. Some districts will also ask voters to weigh in on a variety of propositions that have to do with spending public money. In some districts, library budgets and trustees are also on the ballot. Turnout is usually quite low for school elections, which take place each year in May. Three districts — Mamaroneck, New Rochelle and Pearl River — are proposing to raise their property tax levies by more than allowed under their state-imposed tax caps, meaning they will need the support of more than 60% of voters. Of the 53 voting districts in the Lower Hudson Valley, 28 are proposing to increase their tax levy as much as allowed under their tax caps. The Yonkers Public Schools, as one of New York's "Big 5" school systems, does not have a public vote on its budget. Districts where budget plans are defeated can propose second budget plans for public votes on June 17. Last year, voters rejected initial budget plans in Chappaqua and East Ramapo. Chappaqua was among four districts in the Lower Hudson Valley that proposed breaking their tax caps, but voters approved a second, revised budget plan that stayed under the district's tax cap. East Ramapo voters approved a second budget plan that included a 1% tax levy increase. But state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, in a rare move, ordered the district to raise this year's tax levy by an additional 4.38%, an action that continues to divide the community. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Lohud to post Westchester, Rockland NY school election results May 20
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Autism Speaks: From Criticism To Inclusion And A Future Of Listening
MAMARONECK, NEW YORK - JUNE 18: Overview of the Autism Speaks logo during their Ninth Annual N.Y. ... More Celebrity Golf Challenge on June 18, 2007 in Mamaroneck, New York. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Autism Speaks) Getty Images When Autism Speaks was founded in 2005, the autism landscape looked drastically different. Public understanding was limited. Screening options were scarce. Insurance rarely covered behavioral therapies. And families who received a diagnosis were often handed a pamphlet and sent on their way, forced to become experts overnight. That experience was personal for Keith Wargo, the current President and CEO of Autism Speaks, whose own son was diagnosed more than two decades ago. 'When he was diagnosed, we were given a diagnosis and little else. No roadmap. No coordinated support system,' Wargo explained. Like many families at the time, his support came from informal parent networks rather than institutional guidance. 'Our shared journey, grounded in the experiences of our children and as parents, is what originally drew me to this work—and is what continues to keep the voices of the autism community at the center of all we do at Autism Speaks.' That hasn't always been the case. A Circle from colorful figures and sign neurodiversity. getty Over the years, Autism Speaks has faced significant criticism—most notably from self-advocates—regarding its early focus on curing autism, portraying autistic individuals through a lens of fear, and failing to include autistic voices in leadership and decision-making. But Wargo says that the feedback wasn't ignored—it was transformative. 'This is not a PR effort—it's fundamental to how we operate and make decisions. If we're serious about impact, we need to build solutions with, not just for, the people we're working to support.' This perspective has catalyzed a shift in the organization's core mission—from one focused on early diagnosis and awareness to one that addresses support across the entire lifespan. As Wargo notes, 'Autism is a lifelong condition, yet the support available to autistic adults is lacking.' The data backs him up. According to the CDC, autistic individuals face a life expectancy of just 54 years, and only one in five people with disabilities—including autism—is employed. Autistic people are twice as likely to experience homelessness, and one in four families raising a child with autism faces food or housing insecurity. Concept of the diversity of talents and know-how, with profiles of male and female characters ... More associated with different brains. getty Autism Speaks is now focusing on three core areas where these disparities are most acute: healthcare, employment, and housing. And within each of those domains, the organization is elevating the voices of autistic individuals to help drive its agenda forward. Dr. Andy Shih, Chief Science Officer at Autism Speaks, believes that meaningful progress for autistic adults will require long-term scientific investment. 'We urgently need longitudinal studies that follow autistic people across their lifetimes,' he said, noting the absence of research on how autism intersects with chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia. As the autistic population ages, Shih says, there's a growing need to understand better how these conditions impact quality of life and life expectancy. Despite recent advancements in early screening and evidence-based interventions, research on adulthood and aging in autism lags significantly behind. According to the 2021 National Autism Indicators Report, autistic adults frequently encounter healthcare systems that are ill-equipped to meet their needs, especially when it comes to coordinating care for co-occurring conditions. 'We need to ensure that these studies are inclusive,' Dr. Shih adds, 'especially of those with intellectual disabilities and individuals from underrepresented communities so that the results can drive equitable outcomes for everyone.' True Equity And Representation of Autistic People World Autism Day, held on 2 April. getty That emphasis on equity and representation is echoed by Eileen Lamb, Director of Social Media and Influencer Marketing at Autism Speaks—and an autistic self-advocate herself. Lamb is also the mother of two autistic children, including her eldest son, Charlie, who is nonverbal and has profound autism. 'To me, true acceptance means including everybody—it doesn't stop at level 1 autism or when it's hard,' she said. For Lamb, meaningful inclusion means building systems that support both the gifted and the differently abled. 'Charlie has no sense of danger, which manifests in different ways like running in front of cars and eating non-edible items,' she shared. 'He requires extensive support and will continue to as he gets older, but his life still has great value.' Through her dual lens as a parent and self-advocate, Lamb is helping guide Autism Speaks' initiatives in expanding mental and physical healthcare resources, educating employers on inclusive hiring practices, and advocating for technologies that foster communication and independence. Lamb also recognizes the importance of caregiver voices, particularly when those being served are nonverbal. 'We need to invest in services and supports that allow all autistic people to be integrated into society—not just those who are able to advocate for themselves.' Tonya and Tyler Haynes offer a generational view of how support systems have changed over time. When Tonya's eldest son, Tyler, was diagnosed with autism, the family was overwhelmed and isolated. 'We were met with little guidance—only a diagnosis, a pamphlet, and a referral,' she recalls. 'It often felt like we were navigating a vast sea of uncertainty alone.' Years later, their younger son received the same diagnosis, but the experience was different. 'We were aware of organizations like Autism Speaks, which provided invaluable support throughout our journey. We were better positioned to advocate for him and were able to access early intervention and support services more swiftly.' Tyler, now a college graduate and employed, shared that although he still needs support in certain areas, he hopes others can see beyond stereotypes. 'I am autistic, but I am also a son, brother, friend, graduate, and employee with an exciting life ahead of me. I think every person with autism should have the opportunity to contribute in ways important to them.' His mother agrees—and believes that change begins with systems, not just sentiment. 'As someone with a background in healthcare, I believe this vision begins with translating scientific discovery into tangible real-world impact,' she said. 'That includes inclusive employment pathways, integrated healthcare, supported housing, and opportunities for connection at every level of society.' How Autism Speaks Is Learning From It's Past Autistic rainbow eight infinity symbol. Autism awareness day symbol getty Autism Speaks has not escaped its past—but its current leaders seem determined to learn from it. Its new strategic focus prioritizes autistic inclusion, not only in theory but in practice, with goals aimed at improving quality of life and extending opportunity across the spectrum. From leadership changes to investments in lifespan research and grassroots advocacy, the organization is working to rebuild trust where it once faced skepticism. As Wargo puts it, 'We can't allow progress in early childhood to be where the story ends. Our responsibility is to make sure that every autistic person, regardless of their support needs, has the opportunity to live a full and supported life—at every age.' That future, according to Autism Speaks, will be built not on speaking louder—but on listening better.
