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Dear Editor:
As a pro-family advocate for more than four decades, including Capitol Hill staffer, think tank executive, and policy advocate, the tax bill Congress passed recently is among the most encouraging measures I’ve followed.
Perhaps only the 1986 Tax Reform Act did more for traditional, nuclear families. This bill enhanced the Child Tax Credit and beefed up Parental Leave measures (through incentives, not mandates). It also maintained current tax policies to avoid a shocking increase and disruption to family budgets.
The measures are so strong I’m aware of a Hoosier first-time mom using the law’s provisions to spark a conversation with her small business employer about parental leave policy when her child comes around Thanksgiving.
That’s the power of precedent-setting public policy.
We owe all supportive legislators a debt of gratitude, but given the way the U.S. Senate works, we owe our two U.S. Senators a special thanks for enduring “vote-a-ramas” and amendments with no purpose beyond setting legislators up for future negative campaign commercial.
So hat tip to U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Greenwood, and U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City. Thank you for voting for Hoosier families.
Curt Smith
Chairman, Indiana Family Institute
Indianapolis