Obama leaves out commuter tax break in deal with GOP

[Bluebear]

via Americablog: What buffoon negotiated this deal? Oh, that's right. Everyone knows the GOP hates public transportation and anything else that might help traffic or the environment. What other surprises will we discover have been left out in an effort to "compromise" with the Republicans? At least the GOP is happy because that's all that matters.

Edenred, the provider of the premier commuter benefits programs, Commuter Check and WiredCommute, urges Congress to take action on transit benefit parity. Workers nationwide who commute using public transportation and vanpools to their jobs and participate in an employer-sponsored pre-tax transit benefit will have less to celebrate on New Year's Day.

In February of 2009, the transit benefit pre-tax "cap" was increased as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) from $120 per month to $230 per month matching the amount allowed for parking expenses. This benefit, lead by Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts (D), is set to expire at the end of 2010 and return to $120 per month. Thousands of commuters and employers will see a significant drop in their pre-tax savings. It is estimated that some commuters will see up to a 22 percent increase in the cost of commuting (assuming a national tax rate average of 31.6 percent).

http://www.americablog.com/2010/12/obama-leaves-out-commuter-tax-break-in.html

[Renew Deal]

1. I get this break.

It sounds like it was a 1 year break. That's life.

[bigtree]

2. if Congress wants to (or is able) to get it in there the President won't stand in their way

He hasn't voiced one objection to any of the changes Democrats are proposing making. He has said that he's not going to carry any more of their water for them than he already has in his own negotiations. He provided an framework and the rest is up to Congress. He can't craft the bills and pass them. That's their job.

[ThePhilosopher04]

3. Carry their water????

He's not carrying anybody's water...that's the damn problem!!!

[Bluebear]

4. 'It is estimated that some commuters will see up to a 22 percent increase in the cost of commuting'

:(