{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/as-school-year-begins-king-introduces-bill-to-expand-tax-deductions-for-school-supplies-purchased-out-of-pocket", "As School Year Begins, King Introduces Bill to Expand Tax Deductions for School Supplies Purchased Out-of-Pocket", "2023-09-12", "2023", "2023-09", "Independent", "Senate", "ME", "Angus S. King, Jr.", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", "angusking", "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014 U.S. Senator Angus King has introduced a bill to expand tax deductions for teachers that pay out-of-pocket for school supplies. The Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2023 would more than triple the amount educators can deduct from their taxes for out-of-pocket classroom expenses \u2013 from notebooks to pencils to paper products. The current deduction for teachers is $300 \u2013 far less than most teachers report spending out of their own pocket each year. The legislation would increase that amount to $1,000 and index it to inflation going forward.\n\n\u201cAs the son of two public school teachers, I\u2019m eternally grateful for the contributions of America\u2019s educators,\u201d said Senator King. \u201cFrom the moment they walk into a classroom, Maine\u2019s teachers lay the foundation for our children\u2019s success and provide an invaluable, often underappreciated service to our communities. This bill will ensure that our teachers can receive expanded tax deductions when they pay out-of-pocket to buy learning tools for their students. I hope we can all take time to recognize the contributions of Maine educators, and educators across the nation, who devote their lives to teaching the next generation.\u201d\n\nAccording to the Maine Department of Education, there are 14,714 educators that are licensed to work in Maine\u2019s schools. Recent reports estimate that teachers are paid 20 percent less than similarly-skilled professionals \u2013 and are often asked to cover everyday classroom expenses. Increasing the tax deduction for workplace expenses recognizes the personal sacrifices so many educators make to ensure our children have the tools to learn.\n\nJoining Senator King on the legislation are Senators Sherrod Brown (OH), Bob Casey (PA), Tina Smith (MN), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Chris Van Hollen (MD), Chris Murphy (D-CN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ). Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) are expected to introduce bipartisan companion legislation in the House of Representatives this week.\n\nSenator King is a strong advocate for teachers across Maine. Most recently, he introduced legislation to increase access to mental health resources for educators. He also recently secured more than $14 million for early learning programs at Penquis C.A.P., Inc. in Bangor, Aroostook County Action Program in Presque Isle, and Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation in Farmingdale. He also secured $5 million for early learning programs in Sanford, Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care in Lewiston, and Midcoast Maine Community Action in Bath. In addition to funding, Senator King has co-sponsored a resolution to honor America\u2019s teacher during National Teachers Week.\n\nThe bill text can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/as-school-year-begins-king-introduces-bill-to-expand-tax-deductions-for-school-supplies-purchased-out-of-pocket"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.2551120016723871, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}