NY21 — Arts and culture in taxes and education

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, finds common ground with Democrats on the importance of arts and culture.

But bipartisan agreement does not necessarily mean smooth sailing for legislation

Stefanik has co-sponsored two “tax fix” bills proposed to address impact of the 2018 comprehensive tax overhaul legislation, according to the Library of Congress government information website.

HR 3121, which Rep. Judy Chu, D-CA, introduced June 5, would increase the adjusted gross income limitation under which performing artists could deduct, without itemizing, expenses such as union dues, travel to auditions and talent agent fees.

“Expenses like head shots, transportation and more force professional artists to spend up to 30 percent of their gross incomes just to stay in business,” said Chu, in a press release.

The legislation essentially would restore the use of so-called “miscellaneous itemized deductions” that was eliminated under the 2018 tax bill, according to GovTrack, a legislative information web site.

The legislation had four co-sponsors, two Democrats and two Republicans, as of Oct. 7.

Stefanik also co-sponsored HR 651, legislation Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., introduced Jan. 17 to allow deducting of charitable contributions whether the taxpayer itemizes deductions or not.

In theory, the deduction would encourage donations to non-for-profit museums and arts organizations, among other charities.

“Many Americans want to give generously to charities, but they may not be able to afford to do so now with the changes implemented in the 2018 tax law,” Smith said, in a press release.

The legislation had 22 co-sponsors — 15 Democrats and seven Republicans — as of Oct. 7.

Skoppos Labs, a computerized prediction service, gives the artist expense deduction legislation a 1 percent chance of being enacted, and the charitable contribution deduction legislation a 2 percent chance, according to GovTrack.

Stefanik also has continued her emphasis on STEAM — a concept which emphasizes equally prioritizing arts and design with the teaching of science, technology, engineering and math.

The concept is a priority of area museums, including The World Awareness Children’s Museum and The Hyde Collection art museum in Glens Falls.

The Glens Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative plan calls for exploring the feasibility of establishing a STEAM museum.

Stefanik has been co-chairwoman since 2015 with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-OR, of the House STEAM Caucus.

On June 18 Stefanik, Bonamici and Rep. James R. Langevin, D, R.I., jointly introduced HR 3321 and HR 3308, legislation that would implement arts and design into two existing STEM laws.

Neither of the bills had additional co-sponsors, as of Oct. 7.

In 2017, Stefanik and Bonamici successfully added an amendment to a vocation education law that allows incorporating art and design “when appropriate” into federally-funded career and training programs.

Also in 2017, Stefanik and Bonamici jointly wrote President Trump opposing his plan to eliminate federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.

In 2015, Stefanik and Bonamici successfully added an amendment to a K-12 education law acknowledging the importance of art and design in education.

Maury Thompson covered 10 regional congressional races before he retired from The Post-Star in 2017. He still keeps an eye on the 21st Congressional District and occasionally offers his insight.

Click here to read his most recent previous NY21 post.