CAPSS Policy Statement on Federal Tax Policy

The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) supports an increase in federal funds for public school systems, especially for meeting the costs of the mandates contained in the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  CAPSS takes this position despite the strains being placed on the federal budget by the war on terrorism, the current economic recession and the tax reductions that were enacted last year, because CAPSS believes that the success of public school systems is as vital to our national well-being as is our national defense.  Accordingly, CAPSS urges the federal legislators who represent Connecticut in the United States Congress to support the increase in federal funding that is contained in the provisions of the renewed Elementary and Secondary Education Act and to support making federal funding for IDEA required services mandatory.

Cognizant of the fact that asking the Congress to increase expenditures without addressing the current shortfall in federal revenue would be less than responsible, CAPSS supports the postponing and/or the repeal of future federal tax reductions until there is sufficient revenue available for the Congress to meet all of our urgent national needs including the need to support public school systems.  CAPSS urges Connecticut's congressional delegation to join CAPSS on this issue.