|
|
|
A member of the Kansas Congressional delegation is proposing an amendment to the tax code that would encourage small businesses to hire members of the National Guard or Reserve components.
U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., announced the Hire a Hero Act at the Kansas National Guard Museum in Topeka on Monday.
The legislation would amend the tax code to extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to small businesses that hire or employ members of the National Guard.
“We have an obligation to support our National Guard and Reserve Components while they are fighting to keep us safe, but equally important is our obligation to support them once they have returned home,” Jenkins said. “These American heroes are sometimes bypassed for jobs because employers are uneasy about hiring an individual who is required to provide monthly service that may take them away from work and who could be called away at any time to serve the military overseas.”
Jenkins said that the WOTC is intended to entice employers to hire groups thought to experience employment problems regardless of general economic conditions. The Hire a Hero Act would extend the WOTC to members of our National Guard and Reserve Components. Small business employers with no more than 100 employees who receive at least $5,000 in compensation can qualify for this credit. Jenkins also said that, currently, she has 22 bipartisan cosponsors of the legislation.
“As it stands today, the WOTC incentivizes the hiring of felons but it ignores the American heroes giving their time and effort to our nation’s military,” Jenkins said. “It only seems logical to extend the WOTC to apply also to members of our National Guard and Reserve components.”
Among the co-sponsors of the bill is Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan.
“Lynn’s bill would extend new employment opportunities to Kansans who have served our country in the National Guard and National Reserve,” Tiahrt said. “Given the sacrifices our reservists and guardsmen have endured in recent years, it is only appropriate that we apply existing economic incentives in a way that will benefit them. These men and women have served our country with honor, and we should in turn ensure they have access to every employment opportunity, especially in this difficult economy.”
Jenkins represents the 2nd Congressional District of eastern Kansas. The district includes Forbes Field, which is home to several Army and Air Guard units, as well as two Army posts — Forts Leavenworth and Fort Riley.
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
A member of the Kansas Congressional delegation is proposing an amendment to the tax code that would encourage small businesses to hire members of the National Guard or Reserve components.
U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., announced the Hire a Hero Act at the Kansas National Guard Museum in Topeka on Monday.
The legislation would amend the tax code to extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to small businesses that hire or employ members of the National Guard.
“We have an obligation to support our National Guard and Reserve Components while they are fighting to keep us safe, but equally important is our obligation to support them once they have returned home,” Jenkins said. “These American heroes are sometimes bypassed for jobs because employers are uneasy about hiring an individual who is required to provide monthly service that may take them away from work and who could be called away at any time to serve the military overseas.”
Jenkins said that the WOTC is intended to entice employers to hire groups thought to experience employment problems regardless of general economic conditions. The Hire a Hero Act would extend the WOTC to members of our National Guard and Reserve Components. Small business employers with no more than 100 employees who receive at least $5,000 in compensation can qualify for this credit. Jenkins also said that, currently, she has 22 bipartisan cosponsors of the legislation.
“As it stands today, the WOTC incentivizes the hiring of felons but it ignores the American heroes giving their time and effort to our nation’s military,” Jenkins said. “It only seems logical to extend the WOTC to apply also to members of our National Guard and Reserve components.”
Among the co-sponsors of the bill is Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan.
“Lynn’s bill would extend new employment opportunities to Kansans who have served our country in the National Guard and National Reserve,” Tiahrt said. “Given the sacrifices our reservists and guardsmen have endured in recent years, it is only appropriate that we apply existing economic incentives in a way that will benefit them. These men and women have served our country with honor, and we should in turn ensure they have access to every employment opportunity, especially in this difficult economy.”
Jenkins represents the 2nd Congressional District of eastern Kansas. The district includes Forbes Field, which is home to several Army and Air Guard units, as well as two Army posts — Forts Leavenworth and Fort Riley.
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
