"I am delighted that my proposal to extend tax relief to teachers who purchase school supplies with their own funds has been passed by both the House and Senate – and that the President has said he will happily sign it into law," said Senator Collins. "I authored this plan to reimburse educators for a small part of what they invest in our children's futures. As we raise our expectations for our schools and teachers, we must give them the tools and the support they need to do their jobs."
Senator Collins's teacher tax credit allows teachers, teachers's aides, principals, and counselors to take an above-the-line deduction of up to $250 for books and supplies they purchase for their students. According to the National Education Association, the average public school teacher spends more than $400 annually on classroom materials.
"I am equally pleased that Congress has finally reached agreement on a commonsense economic recovery package that will extend much needed unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks to nearly 1.6 million Americans who have exhausted their benefits and still cannot find work," said Senator Collins. "I pressed the Senate to approve legislation that included this vital assistance, which it did nearly one month ago. Americans need our help, and I am hopeful that they will soon receive it."