Interested in your thoughts on the tax change for ticket donations

[Reason2succeed]

http://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/21437392/college-administrators-worry-funding-new-tax-plan

I don't think it will prevent many people from donating but in a down season in athletics it could hurt.

This ain't a liberal or conservative thing either before you yahoos go there.

[BulldogDX55]

The place where the house bill will harm the University the most is what it will do to Graduate/Doctoral students. It makes it so that the tuition waivers that the students receive in exchange for doing graduate research and teaching classes counts as taxable income. This means that while they might be getting paid (ballpark numbers) $20k/yr plus free tuition, they will now be getting taxed like they're earning $40k/yr while still only receiving $20k in income. This will crush the graduate programs of higher tuition private schools and will ruin the chance of going to grad school without taking on six figures in debt for lower income students.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/opinion/house-tax-bill-graduate-students.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/16/house-gop-tax-plan-could-increase-taxes-for-grad-students-by-400-percent.html
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/14/563879136/house-gop-tax-plan-would-hit-grad-students-with-massive-tax-hike

Seriously guys, it's a University killer.

[Jack Lambert]

I have never claimed my contribution to the bulldog club. I just figure it's part of the ticket price.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

The place where the house bill will harm the University the most is what it will do to Graduate/Doctoral students. It makes it so that the tuition waivers that the students receive in exchange for doing graduate research and teaching classes counts as taxable income. This means that while they might be getting paid (ballpark numbers) $20k/yr plus free tuition, they will now be getting taxed like they're earning $40k/yr while still only receiving $20k in income. This will crush the graduate programs of higher tuition private schools and will ruin the chance of going to grad school without taking on six figures in debt for lower income students.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/opinion/house-tax-bill-graduate-students.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/16/house-gop-tax-plan-could-increase-taxes-for-grad-students-by-400-percent.html
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/14/563879136/house-gop-tax-plan-would-hit-grad-students-with-massive-tax-hike

Seriously guys, it's a University killer.

We could probably use a few less private institutions....

[BrunswickDawg]

The place where the house bill will harm the University the most is what it will do to Graduate/Doctoral students. It makes it so that the tuition waivers that the students receive in exchange for doing graduate research and teaching classes counts as taxable income. This means that while they might be getting paid (ballpark numbers) $20k/yr plus free tuition, they will now be getting taxed like they're earning $40k/yr while still only receiving $20k in income. This will crush the graduate programs of higher tuition private schools and will ruin the chance of going to grad school without taking on six figures in debt for lower income students.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/opinion/house-tax-bill-graduate-students.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/16/house-gop-tax-plan-could-increase-taxes-for-grad-students-by-400-percent.html
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/14/563879136/house-gop-tax-plan-would-hit-grad-students-with-massive-tax-hike

Seriously guys, it's a University killer.

Yeah, there is no way I could have afforded to pay taxes on my GA. Tuition, Room, Meal Plan and a small stipend for 2 years was more than my first salary when I finished grad school (warning to parents - History degrees don't pay off instantly).

I don't think Tax Reform will get done anyway. It will blow up in the Senate just like Healthcare.

[BulldogDX55]

We could probably use a few less private institutions....

Yeah! Let?s destroy some top end research institutions because reasons! Great idea!

[Apoplectic]

http://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/21437392/college-administrators-worry-funding-new-tax-plan

I don't think it will prevent many people from donating but in a down season in athletics it could hurt.

This ain't a liberal or conservative thing either before you yahoos go there.


why should i pay for some people to have nice seats at a sporting event? Also why should i pay for parks, libraries, and sanctuary services for east and west coast states? The school will figure out a way to find the money as will the liberal states.....if they really need to find something to spend it on.

[bostondawg]

The place where the house bill will harm the University the most is what it will do to Graduate/Doctoral students. It makes it so that the tuition waivers that the students receive in exchange for doing graduate research and teaching classes counts as taxable income. This means that while they might be getting paid (ballpark numbers) $20k/yr plus free tuition, they will now be getting taxed like they're earning $40k/yr while still only receiving $20k in income. This will crush the graduate programs of higher tuition private schools and will ruin the chance of going to grad school without taking on six figures in debt for lower income students.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/opinion/house-tax-bill-graduate-students.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/16/house-gop-tax-plan-could-increase-taxes-for-grad-students-by-400-percent.html
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/14/563879136/house-gop-tax-plan-would-hit-grad-students-with-massive-tax-hike

Seriously guys, it's a University killer.

Not to hijack this thread, but I'm terrified by this. I'm a grad student at a school where tuition is 45k a year.

[Reason2succeed]

why should i pay for some people to have nice seats at a sporting event? Also why should i pay for parks, libraries, and sanctuary services for east and west coast states? The school will figure out a way to find the money as will the liberal states.....if they really need to find something to spend it on.

Uhh, first of all this really isn’t a left right issue but you just had to go there. Learn to read. Byrne from Alabama and Alexander from LSU are two of the ADs complaining about this. Dang liberals from the east and west coast (of Mississippi).***

[Hasu Dackds]

I'm a hard core right winger, but these RINOs are proving to everyone that they live in a bubble and have zero clue of the big picture. They are further killing the middle class and adding to the deficit.

[Political Hack]

why should i pay for some people to have nice seats at a sporting event? Also why should i pay for parks, libraries, and sanctuary services for east and west coast states? The school will figure out a way to find the money as will the liberal states.....if they really need to find something to spend it on.

You're still sending the same amount to the university. You just can't claim it on your taxes anymore. So, you're actually paying more taxes for parks, libraries, and sanctuary services in Mississippi (red states get the highest return on tax dollars sent to D.C., yet hate D.C. and taxes. Figur d you need to know that since you incorrectly claim that liberal states are getting the tax dollars. Its the exact opposite).

[Political Hack]

Not to hijack this thread, but I'm terrified by this. I'm a grad student at a school where tuition is 45k a year.

You'd better hurry up. We don't like education in these United States of America.

[bostondawg]

why should i pay for some people to have nice seats at a sporting event? Also why should i pay for parks, libraries, and sanctuary services for east and west coast states? The school will figure out a way to find the money as will the liberal states.....if they really need to find something to spend it on.

No one tell him that those dagum liberals in other states subsidize a ton of Mississippi's programs. Seriously, Mississippi relies on the federal government more than nearly almost every other state. For every dollar that Mississippi sends to the federal government, the fed sends back 3. Without those park-needing and library-needing east and west coast states, Mississippi would still be in the stone age.

https://snag.gy/QgGOzt.jpg

Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/05/which-states-are-givers-and-which-are-takers/361668/

[MadDawg]

The place where the house bill will harm the University the most is what it will do to Graduate/Doctoral students. It makes it so that the tuition waivers that the students receive in exchange for doing graduate research and teaching classes counts as taxable income. This means that while they might be getting paid (ballpark numbers) $20k/yr plus free tuition, they will now be getting taxed like they're earning $40k/yr while still only receiving $20k in income. This will crush the graduate programs of higher tuition private schools and will ruin the chance of going to grad school without taking on six figures in debt for lower income students.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/opinion/house-tax-bill-graduate-students.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/16/house-gop-tax-plan-could-increase-taxes-for-grad-students-by-400-percent.html
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/14/563879136/house-gop-tax-plan-would-hit-grad-students-with-massive-tax-hike

Seriously guys, it's a University killer.

So tuition waivers will be treated just like the more common type of "tuition waiver" - the scholarship?

[bostondawg]

You'd better hurry up. We don't like education in these United States of America.

Haha I'm trying. Two more years *fingers crossed* for the PhD. Maybe they'll delay putting the tax bill into effect and I'll not have to go bankrupt.

[Commercecomet24]

No one tell him that those dagum liberals in other states subsidize a ton of Mississippi's programs. Seriously, Mississippi relies on the federal government more than nearly almost every other state. For every dollar that Mississippi sends to the federal government, the fed sends back 3. Without those park-needing and library-needing east and west coast states, Mississippi would still be in the stone age.

https://snag.gy/QgGOzt.jpg

Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/05/which-states-are-givers-and-which-are-takers/361668/

That's very interesting. What the hecks up with South Carolina? That's almost off the charts.

[Hasu Dackds]

Look at the states below the 1 dollar mark and those over it. Can we say DEFICIT

[Commercecomet24]

Look at the states below the 1 dollar mark and those over it. Can we say DEFICIT

Big time.

[bostondawg]

That's very interesting. What the hecks up with South Carolina? That's almost off the charts.

I was actually really shocked to see that too. That's unbelievable. There's something really up with South Carolina. That's a problem.

Also Florida is a big problem too. I know I'm calling out Mississippi for getting a 3:1 ratio in dollars from the fed, but the MS economy is small. Florida's is massive. So in absolute dollars, we're talking truckloads of cash used to subsidize Florida. If I had to guess, maybe it's because of all of the old people and Medicare?

[Hasu Dackds]

I was actually really shocked to see that too. That's unbelievable. There's something really up with South Carolina. That's a problem.

Also Florida is a big problem too. I know I'm calling out Mississippi for getting a 3:1 ratio in dollars from the fed, but the MS economy is small. Florida's is massive. So in absolute dollars, we're talking truckloads of cash used to subsidize Florida. If I had to guess, maybe it's because of all of the old people and Medicare?

A lot of military in Florida

[bostondawg]

A lot of military in Florida

Good point too. I'm not sure precisely how those dollars are calculated in this chart. For just the generally poor southern states, I think it's just about the poverty rate requiring a lot of food stamps and welfare programs. From the article:

"Another part of the explanation is easier to discern. The reddest states on that map at the top—Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, Maine—have exceptionally high poverty rates and thus receive disproportionately large shares of federal dollars. Through a variety of social programs, the federal government disburses hundreds of billions of dollars each year to maintain a “safety net” intended to help the neediest among us. Consider, for example, the percentage of each state’s residents who get “food stamps” through the federal government’s SNAP program. This chart tells the story."

[TheDawgBiscuit]

If they double the standard deduction, lower the tax rates, this will likely be a wash for a grad assistant/student. Has anyone truly done the math? The net difference is big for all.

[Political Hack]

A lot of military in Florida

Big naval presence in CA too. DOD spending always gets thrown out there but SS and Medicaid/care are the biggest expenditures. We need radical reforms there.

[Commercecomet24]

I was actually really shocked to see that too. That's unbelievable. There's something really up with South Carolina. That's a problem.

Also Florida is a big problem too. I know I'm calling out Mississippi for getting a 3:1 ratio in dollars from the fed, but the MS economy is small. Florida's is massive. So in absolute dollars, we're talking truckloads of cash used to subsidize Florida. If I had to guess, maybe it's because of all of the old people and Medicare?

Yeah SC is horrendous that?s a serious drain. I?m with you on Florida don?t understand how they are so out of whack with all the $ there. You may be right on the Medicare deal there. My business deals almost exclusively with seniors and we market Florida heavily. Interesting stuff. It?s out of my wheelhouse but gonna research it just out of curiosity.

[Political Hack]

If they double the standard deduction, lower the tax rates, this will likely be a wash for a grad assistant/student. Has anyone truly done the math? The net difference is big for all.

Yeah. A lot of people. It would be a 300-400% tax increase for grad students. Luckily Senate Republicans have recognized that and are trying to offset that in their bill. Hopefully the House will be ok with that, should it make it to conference.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Uhh, first of all this really isn?t a left right issue but you just had to go there. Learn to read. Byrne from Alabama and Alexander from LSU are two of the ADs complaining about this. Dang liberals from the east and west coast (of Mississippi).***

Maybe BAMA and LSU should make some cuts in their Athletic Budget...

[BrunswickDawg]

So tuition waivers will be treated just like the more common type of "tuition waiver" - the scholarship?

No.

Scholarships are actually funded - usually through an endowment of some kind. The dividend off that endowment actually pays the university for the recipient of the scholarship. GA's are providing a service to the university in lieu of a salary. Typically, those GA positions are not endowed although in some cases they are.

To me, the scarier thing is that if this passes, the next step is to start classifying scholarships as income that will be subject to taxes.

[Hasu Dackds]

Big naval presence in CA too. DOD spending always gets thrown out there but SS and Medicaid/care are the biggest expenditures. We need radical reforms there.

That might take care of itself. Lot of boomers will be dead in 10-20 years

[Tbonewannabe]

A lot of military in Florida

South Carolina has a lot of military bases along with Paris Island. I don't know if those drive up those Fed dollars but that is still a lot of money going to the state.

[Tbonewannabe]

That might take care of itself. Lot of boomers will be dead in 10-20 years

The biggest issue with Medicaid/care is the government is paying $35 each for damn Tylenol. The 17ing overhead on the shit is outrageous. If you get hurt without insurance then you basically hope they don't let you die in the parking lot after they get you "stabilized". Afterwards you then probably have to file bankruptcy because the bill could be $100,000.

SS is screwed from the fact that you work your entire life and then draw $250. It is the biggest damn Ponzi scheme in the world.

[MadDawg]

No.

Scholarships are actually funded - usually through an endowment of some kind. The dividend off that endowment actually pays the university for the recipient of the scholarship. GA's are providing a service to the university in lieu of a salary. Typically, those GA positions are not endowed although in some cases they are.

To me, the scarier thing is that if this passes, the next step is to start classifying scholarships as income that will be subject to taxes.

Scholarships already are treated as income if they are more than tuition, books and fees.

[Tbonewannabe]

Scholarships already are treated as income if they are more than tuition, books and fees.

I wouldn't mind the government treating teacher salaries for government funded schools as tax free. It might create an advantage to get better teachers in the profession. Too many well qualified teachers don't do it because the pay is so low. My sister in law knows a great teacher that just loves kids, she probably doesn't even make minimum wage after the money she spends on kids who don't have anything. We have politicians spending money like it doesn't matter while teachers are taking their pay and buying toilet paper and pencils for their kids. There is a huge problem with how the United States politicians treat our country as a whole. I don't care what side of the isle you are on, it is all screwed up. Politicians have great healthcare and pay for life. That wasn't what the founding fathers dreamed when they created the Constitution.

[BrunswickDawg]

Scholarships already are treated as income if they are more than tuition, books and fees.

And that is rare. Most scholarships cover some costs, no where near all.

[Commercecomet24]

And that is rare. Most scholarships cover some costs, no where near all.

You got that right! I got 2 in college, with scholarships and I can vouch for that!

[MadDawg]

And that is rare. Most scholarships cover some costs, no where near all.

Certainly this is true. But there are those that bust their ass and do incredibly well and get "full ride" scholarships. And then they (or their parents) get a rude awakening come tax time and realize a good chunk of that scholarship, the part that pays for room and board and other expenses, is actually taxable. And then the final kick in the nuts is when the IRS classifies that income as "unearned income" because it didn't come from a job and forces the child to pay taxes at the tax rate of the parent. Fun stuff.
Try explaining to your kid that their scholarship is "unearned income". LOL.

[BrunswickDawg]

I wouldn't mind the government treating teacher salaries for government funded schools as tax free. It might create an advantage to get better teachers in the profession. Too many well qualified teachers don't do it because the pay is so low. My sister in law knows a great teacher that just loves kids, she probably doesn't even make minimum wage after the money she spends on kids who don't have anything. We have politicians spending money like it doesn't matter while teachers are taking their pay and buying toilet paper and pencils for their kids. There is a huge problem with how the United States politicians treat our country as a whole. I don't care what side of the isle you are on, it is all screwed up. Politicians have great healthcare and pay for life. That wasn't what the founding fathers dreamed when they created the Constitution.

1) Term Limits
2) End lifetime pension and healthcare
3) Campaign finance reform
4) End PACS
5) Limit the length of campaigning to 3 months prior to elections
6) Move elections to weekends & expand early voting and simplify voter registration

6 things that would make major headway in improving government at all levels.

[BrunswickDawg]

Certainly this is true. But there are those that bust their ass and do incredibly well and get "full ride" scholarships. And then they (or their parents) get a rude awakening come tax time and realize a good chuck of that scholarship, the part that pays for room and board and other expenses, is actually taxable. And then the final kick in the nuts is when the IRS classifies that income as "unearned income" because it didn't come from a job and forces the child to pay taxes at the tax rate of the parent. Fun stuff.
Try explaining to your kid that their scholarship is "unearned income". LOL.

Oh, no doubt. Sounds like you have had fun with Financial Aid!

[Tbonewannabe]

Certainly this is true. But there are those that bust their ass and do incredibly well and get "full ride" scholarships. And then they (or their parents) get a rude awakening come tax time and realize a good chuck of that scholarship, the part that pays for room and board and other expenses, is actually taxable. And then the final kick in the nuts is when the IRS classifies that income as "unearned income" because it didn't come from a job and forces the child to pay taxes at the tax rate of the parent. Fun stuff.
Try explaining to your kid that their scholarship is "unearned income". LOL.

The United States does such a great job suppressing education for anyone that doesn't come from wealth.

[shannondawg]

I must have clicked on the wrong article. The one I got was how would donations to booster clubs and the like be affected if donations were not tax deductible. Same token, how many luxury boxes would be taken if not tax deductible? The way its set up now, you get the donation less the cost of the benefit you receive in the way of priority.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

I wouldn't mind the government treating teacher salaries for government funded schools as tax free. It might create an advantage to get better teachers in the profession. Too many well qualified teachers don't do it because the pay is so low. My sister in law knows a great teacher that just loves kids, she probably doesn't even make minimum wage after the money she spends on kids who don't have anything. We have politicians spending money like it doesn't matter while teachers are taking their pay and buying toilet paper and pencils for their kids. There is a huge problem with how the United States politicians treat our country as a whole. I don't care what side of the isle you are on, it is all screwed up. Politicians have great healthcare and pay for life. That wasn't what the founding fathers dreamed when they created the Constitution.

The problem with public education is that most of the money goes to administration instead of teaching... for every dollar spent on education in Mississippi, less than 25 cents actually goes to the classroom... for example, I have a brother in law that is a principal at an elementary school that has approximately 600 students....makes about $80K, he has his own office, 2 assistant principals, 3 secretaries, a grant writer, a program administrator, a counselor, 8 custodians, speech therapist,school nurse, plus several other admins that I'm not sure what their title is....that is not even counting the staff at the district office. His school also has a on-site workout facility complete with showers and lockers for the staff (not students). He also attends two or three conferences a year at resort locations that are paid for by the district, not to mention the annual summer trip to the Beau Rivage and a few trips to the Jackson Hilton all paid for including mileage. .. He will be able to retire at age 49 with 25 years of service . I'm 50 pay a ton of taxes and can't retire until I'm 67 without getting hit by more taxes and penalties.....and get hit up regularly for money for the school, because they don't have supplies..
This isn't including the Superintendent/District Office Staff which I'm not even going to get into what all they have.

[BulldogDX55]

I wouldn't mind the government treating teacher salaries for government funded schools as tax free. It might create an advantage to get better teachers in the profession. Too many well qualified teachers don't do it because the pay is so low. My sister in law knows a great teacher that just loves kids, she probably doesn't even make minimum wage after the money she spends on kids who don't have anything. We have politicians spending money like it doesn't matter while teachers are taking their pay and buying toilet paper and pencils for their kids. There is a huge problem with how the United States politicians treat our country as a whole. I don't care what side of the isle you are on, it is all screwed up. Politicians have great healthcare and pay for life. That wasn't what the founding fathers dreamed when they created the Constitution.

The bill will also make things worse for the teacher tat your SIL knows:

http://time.com/5017111/gop-tax-plan-teacher-tax-credit/

[shannondawg]

I give up.

[drunkernhelldawg]

If they double the standard deduction, lower the tax rates, this will likely be a wash for a grad assistant/student. Has anyone truly done the math? The net difference is big for all.

Don't you mean, "Has anyone who worked on this bill done the math?"

[drunkernhelldawg]

The biggest issue with Medicaid/care is the government is paying $35 each for damn Tylenol. The 17ing overhead on the shit is outrageous. If you get hurt without insurance then you basically hope they don't let you die in the parking lot after they get you "stabilized". Afterwards you then probably have to file bankruptcy because the bill could be $100,000.

SS is screwed from the fact that you work your entire life and then draw $250. It is the biggest damn Ponzi scheme in the world.

That's not just medicair/caid. That's the entire medical billing industry and practice. I think that billing industry alone accounts for a large part of our inflated medical costs.

[IMissJack]

A lot of military in Florida

A lot of retirees that vote in Florida is the answer.

[IMissJack]

Maybe we should address why school tuition keeps outpacing inflation so much and is so expensive. As more Fed dollars have been made available for students tuition keeps going up. It is kind of like insurance for windshield replacement. If I tell the guy I have insurance, the new windshield is $700. If I say I am paying cash, it is $350.

[drunkernhelldawg]

Maybe we should address why school tuition keeps outpacing inflation so much and is so expensive. As more Fed dollars have been made available for students tuition keeps going up. It is kind of like insurance for windshield replacement. If I tell the guy I have insurance, the new windshield is $700. If I say I am paying cash, it is $350.

I think there's some truth to that. Also, universities are going overboard on topping each other's non-educational amenities, such as outrageous health clubs and five star student dining rooms.

[Jack Lambert]

I was actually really shocked to see that too. That's unbelievable. There's something really up with South Carolina. That's a problem.

Also Florida is a big problem too. I know I'm calling out Mississippi for getting a 3:1 ratio in dollars from the fed, but the MS economy is small. Florida's is massive. So in absolute dollars, we're talking truckloads of cash used to subsidize Florida. If I had to guess, maybe it's because of all of the old people and Medicare?

One thing you are forgetting some of the lower receiving federal money states have really high state income tax. The states receiving higher amounts of money from the federal goverment have low state income tax. Why does that matter in this case is because State Income Tax is a write off on you Federal Income Tax. It balances out between all the states. Those state with high income rates are getting their money from their citizens and those citizens are getting their money back from the Federal goverment through the tax write off. The States receiving more from the Federal goverment are getting it directly from the Federal Government.

It's how the States get their money from the Federal is the only difference.

However under the new tax bill those state income tax write off are going away but they are doubling the standern deduction. Which suspect will help more people then having itemize write off.

[Mimi's Babies]

Uhh, first of all this really isn?t a left right issue but you just had to go there. Learn to read. Byrne from Alabama and Alexander from LSU are two of the ADs complaining about this. Dang liberals from the east and west coast (of Mississippi).***

If you live in Mississippi you had better watch the state and federal senators they are selling you down the creek.

[Mimi's Babies]

The bill will also make things worse for the teacher tat your SIL knows:

http://time.com/5017111/gop-tax-plan-teacher-tax-credit/

The credit was a whopping $250.00. what good does that do? Many teachers in Mississippi with a family qualify for earned income credit. A teacher is not able to do anything but survive in Mississippi. $35,000.00, 6 years teaching. Can any of you live off that. Probably not.

[fishwater99]

No one tell him that those dagum liberals in other states subsidize a ton of Mississippi's programs. Seriously, Mississippi relies on the federal government more than nearly almost every other state. For every dollar that Mississippi sends to the federal government, the fed sends back 3. Without those park-needing and library-needing east and west coast states, Mississippi would still be in the stone age.

https://snag.gy/QgGOzt.jpg

Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/05/which-states-are-givers-and-which-are-takers/361668/

Why is South Carolina getting so much $$?

[MadDawg]

The credit was a whopping $250.00. what good does that do? Many teachers in Mississippi with a family qualify for earned income credit. A teacher is not able to do anything but survive in Mississippi. $35,000.00, 6 years teaching. Can any of you live off that. Probably not.

Not to get too technical, but it's not even a $250 credit. It's a $250 adjustment to income, which means all you really save is the tax amount on that $250 income. So for most tax filers, that's 15-25% in tax you are saving depending on your level of income. So basically about $50.

[drunkernhelldawg]

Not to get too technical, but it's not even a $250 credit. It's a $250 adjustment to income, which means all you really save is the tax amount on that $250 income. So for most tax filers, that's 15-25% in tax you are saving depending on your level of income. So basically about $50.

It's interesting how big those little things feel when you're dreading the bottom line on tax day.

[Tbonewannabe]

The problem with public education is that most of the money goes to administration instead of teaching... for every dollar spent on education in Mississippi, less than 25 cents actually goes to the classroom... for example, I have a brother in law that is a principal at an elementary school that has approximately 600 students....makes about $80K, he has his own office, 2 assistant principals, 3 secretaries, a grant writer, a program administrator, a counselor, 8 custodians, speech therapist,school nurse, plus several other admins that I'm not sure what their title is....that is not even counting the staff at the district office. His school also has a on-site workout facility complete with showers and lockers for the staff (not students). He also attends two or three conferences a year at resort locations that are paid for by the district, not to mention the annual summer trip to the Beau Rivage and a few trips to the Jackson Hilton all paid for including mileage. .. He will be able to retire at age 49 with 25 years of service . I'm 50 pay a ton of taxes and can't retire until I'm 67 without getting hit by more taxes and penalties.....and get hit up regularly for money for the school, because they don't have supplies..
This isn't including the Superintendent/District Office Staff which I'm not even going to get into what all they have.

I have a buddy that is the same way. He is planning on retiring in the next 10 years since he and his wife will have their 25 years in. One problem is "government" workers most of the time haven't worked in a business setting that worried about ROI or any other Revenue/Expense measurement. They just know that they get a budget of X dollars and if they don't spend it then it gets lowered.

I was hoping that the new President would help with these issues but apparently he is too busy having the American people pay him to go play on his own golf courses. Really brilliant business move by him becoming president. He will probably end up doubling his Net Worth in his 4 years if he gets everything passed that he wants. I hate all politicians.

[MadDawg]

He will probably end up doubling his Net Worth in his 4 years if he gets everything passed that he wants.

Which would probably put him on the lower end of the spectrum for most politicians that hold major office. But I understand where you are coming from.

[Tbonewannabe]

Which would probably put him on the lower end of the spectrum for most politicians that hold major office. But I understand where you are coming from.

Which is why I pretty much hate ALL politicians. This country was founded on being a politican was a sacrifice you made for the betterment of your fellow man. Somewhere along the way it became how to leach off of the populace and get rich. All you have to do is be smart enough and sell your soul. It doesn't matter which party, both are as dirty as pigs in slop.

[Reason2succeed]

This thread ran off the rails but on the bright side Sports has brought us all together as Americans again.

[PSYCHO(thesis)DEFENSE]

as an MSU grad student with an infant son and a mortgage at least I can rest easy knowing that my 400% tax increase, and the tax increases on my working-class family, will go to those who really need it like private jet owners & corporate CEOs.

[Mimi's Babies]

Not to get too technical, but it's not even a $250 credit. It's a $250 adjustment to income, which means all you really save is the tax amount on that $250 income. So for most tax filers, that's 15-25% in tax you are saving depending on your level of income. So basically about $50.

Not worth the paperwork... for a teacher who only makes $35,000.00 a year.....

[Liverpooldawg]

Big naval presence in CA too. DOD spending always gets thrown out there but SS and Medicaid/care are the biggest expenditures. We need radical reforms there.

Last time I looked you could throw out everything but entitlements and interest payments and we still run a deficit. That isn't sustainable.

[Liverpooldawg]

A lot of retirees that vote in Florida is the answer.

Yep

[Liverpooldawg]

That's not just medicair/caid. That's the entire medical billing industry and practice. I think that billing industry alone accounts for a large part of our inflated medical costs.

Very good from you drunk. It's what some of us said all along, the managed care stuff worked for a while, till it became a ndustry in its own right. Now it's just another layer of people who aren't involved in delivering care that have to be paid.

[Liverpooldawg]

A lot of military in Florida

A lot more old people.

[Lord McBuckethead]

1) Term Limits
2) End lifetime pension and healthcare
3) Campaign finance reform
4) End PACS
5) Limit the length of campaigning to 3 months prior to elections
6) Move elections to weekends & expand early voting and simplify voter registration

6 things that would make major headway in improving government at all levels.

I would agree with all of that. I am sure Senators really do not like fundraising everyday in Washington phone banks just to raise enough money to not get primaried next go around. Then, if you actually say and do the "right" thing for your constituents but it goes against some super PAC wishes, they throw a bunch of money at some puppet and get you out of there. It is just easier to take the PAC money and give a super tax cut to those guys, aka what is exactly going on right now.

[Political Hack]

Term limits would resolve most of the political obfuscation.

[Commercecomet24]

Term limits need to be done like yesterday.

[Reason2succeed]

If they wanted that stuff it would be done. They make their own rules!!!!

I’ve heard them argue term limits by saying it tak s about two terms to learn what they are doing and how things “really” work up there.

Campaign finance reform and no more PACS would mean that only individuals who ar independently wealthy would have a snowball’s chance (as if they do now anyway).

Limiting the length of campaigns is impractical. People will cheat and you will have career politicians, big business owners and celebrities (I know this is already happening) with prior name recognition being the only ones who can get elected.

Moving elections to weekends, simplifying registration (like automatic), and undoing the gerrymandered districts would just make things too fair and neither side wants that.

[SapperDawg]

I?ve heard them argue term limits by saying it tak s about two terms to learn what they are doing and how things ?really? work up there.



I always laugh when I hear politician spout this. Senate terms are SIX years. Plenty of time to figure out the game, and how to work in it. I will give Congress members some relief as they have two year terms. You get one term to figure it out. One to operate at the mid level, and a third to really be functioning at a high level getting things done.

If you cant figure out how do do your job in SIX years, time to find another one.

[BrunswickDawg]

Shortening the length of campaigns works everywhere else, why not here? This year, Theresa May called for a new Parliamentary election on April 17. They qualified candidates, had debates, gave us incredible candidates like Lord McBuckethead, and held an election on June 8th. That?s less than 2 months - and less than the time we schedule between a primary and a run off in the US.

[Ezsoil]

I always laugh when I hear politician spout this. Senate terms are SIX years. Plenty of time to figure out the game, and how to work in it. I will give Congress members some relief as they have two year terms. You get one term to figure it out. One to operate at the mid level, and a third to really be functioning at a high level getting things done.

If you cant figure out how do do your job in SIX years, time to find another one.


Kevin Brady who chaired the ways and means committee and authored this bill is my Represenative ...we hit him hard with a primary challenge and almost got him out...he won 52-48... but I must say we have his attention as he has continued to run ads promoting himself even after the election last fall.