The Serrano Report, Volume XI, #2

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Votes Against Further Food Stamp Cuts

Last week, Congressman Serrano voted against a bill containing a further $8.6 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefit formulas. These cuts, which come on top of reductions last fall, would especially hit New Yorkers, as they are targeted at people living in states that benefit from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

“I was saddened to see a bill that will hurt vulnerable and struggling families pass the House,” said Congressman Serrano. “I voted no, and urged my colleagues to do the same. The bill was called a ‘compromise’ – since House Republicans had initially wanted to cut SNAP by $40 billion. Even as that number was reduced in the final bill, I could not support legislation that cuts benefits to people struggling to get by.

“I was particularly distressed by the bill’s proposition that certain states -- those where home heating is expensive in the winter -- would see their benefits cut more than other states. I find that ‘compromise’ unfair and unequal.

“More galling than anything else was the fact that the food assistance cuts enacted in this bill were not matched by any cuts to the farm programs, which often benefit wealthy farmers. Surely we can do better than this.

“Today was a sad day in the House of Representatives, as yet again we saw Republicans leading the way in cutting programs that help families who are trying to make ends meet.”

Serrano Reacts to State of the Union Address

Last week, Congressman Serrano joined Members of Congress for President Obama’s State of the Union address. After the speech, Serrano said the speech “hit the mark” and “issued a challenge to the Congress to help people with jobs and economic growth.”

“The President hit many key points that matter deeply to the American people,” said Congressman Serrano. “His focus on economic opportunity and rewarding work were spot on. I was particularly gratified by his announcement that he would raise the minimum wage for federal contractors. Working people should not need to seek public assistance, because jobs should pay a living wage. The President was right to challenge Congress yet again to raise the minimum wage for all workers.

“Our nation has slipped into a situation where so many people feel insecure about their economic prospects that the allies of big business can easily bully people into thinking that raising wages and benefits would somehow hurt workers. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many studies have shown that raising worker’s pay does not kill jobs, but in fact increases productivity, decreases turnover, and causes large benefits for the economy as a whole. I was glad that the President took this issue head on.

“I also agree with the President that 2014 should be a year of action. For much of his presidency, Congressional Republicans have done everything in their power to obstruct him and his agenda, even when they privately agree that particular actions need to be taken. They have opposed and obstructed ideas that came from the right wing initially, like the structure of Obamacare. The country is tired of gridlock and eager for Congress and the President to make progress on a variety of issues in order to move America forward.

“One such issue that is particularly important to me is immigration reform. I have worked for comprehensive immigration reform for many years now. I am heartened to see that Republicans in the House are finally agreeing to take up the issue, but I am profoundly saddened at their insistence that there be no pathway to citizenship. I cannot see how, in a nation of immigrants and their descendants, the Republicans can claim that the doors should be closed on citizenship to the most recent arrivals. It flies in the face of everything our nation stands for. Immigration reform must contain a pathway to citizenship.

“I believe the President gave a very persuasive and important speech tonight. It sounded all the right notes and left the door wide open to compromise and bipartisanship in pursuit of economic and social progress. I hope the Republicans can put aside their entrenched ideology and work with the President and Congressional Democrats to move our nation forward. The American people deserve no less.”

Serrano Outraged Republicans Delay Immigration Reform Yet Again

In the wake of Speaker John Boehner’s remarks yesterday casting doubt on House Republicans allowing immigration reform to come to a vote in 2014, Congressman José E. Serrano expressed his profound disappointment and his outrage at the tactic.

“When Senate Republicans have already voted for a comprehensive immigration reform bill, I fail to see why House Republicans are yet again saying they cannot pass a bill this year,” said Congressman Serrano. “There seems to be an endless number of excuses by Republicans for why they cannot vote on any legislation that would fix our broken immigration system. If Speaker Boehner would simply stare down the Tea Party faction in his caucus and bring the Senate bill to a vote, it would pass with a huge bipartisan majority and be signed into law in a matter of days. Those are the facts. Everything else is a shameful political show that divides families and hurts our nation.

“People across this country have waited many long years for a comprehensive immigration solution. It is heartbreaking to think of the suffering that is experienced by children and families each day that the Republicans stall. All the pieces are in place. They must ignore the Tea Party, who will never be in agreement with any reform package, and move forward. The nation deserves better than months or years more of inaction. Families deserve better. Children deserve better. No more delays. It is time to bring the comprehensive immigration reform bill to a vote in the House.”

In the Bronx

Serrano Urges Working Families to Apply for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Congressman Serrano reminded Bronx residents to see if they are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) during the approaching tax filing season, and to claim the credit if they are.

“I know that many working families in the Bronx and elsewhere have a hard time covering the basic necessities for themselves and their children,” said Congressman Serrano. “The EITC is an important opportunity for individuals and families who had an income of less than $51, 567 last year. They should claim this tax credit which is designed to help working families make ends meet.”

“Each year, millions of individuals nationwide miss out on this important program because they are unsure of their eligibility, or are concerned about a seemingly complicated process. However, there are many free resources that will provide you with the tax help you need to help you claim the EITC. In the Bronx, there are a number of locations where volunteers will help you claim the EITC, and to file your taxes for free."

For more information on free tax preparation locations, please visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/ofe/html/policy_and_programs/freetaxsite.shtml or www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers. You can also call 311 for more information.

Individuals should come prepared to a volunteer site with the following:

• A valid driver's license or other photo id card
• Social security cards, a Social Security number (SSN) verification letter or the Individual Taxpayer Identifying Number (ITIN) for all persons listed on the return
• Birth dates for all persons listed on return
• All income statements: Forms W-2 and 1099, Social Security, unemployment, and other statements, such as pensions, stocks, interest and any documents showing taxes withheld
• All records of expenses, such as tuition, mortgage interest, or real estate taxes
• Copies of last year's state and federal tax returns, if available
• Bank routing numbers and account numbers to direct deposit any refund
• Dependent child care information: name and address of who you paid and either the caretaker's SSN or other tax identification number
• Both spouses to sign forms to e-file (electronically file) a joint tax return