To the Editor:
Re “Low-Income College Students Face Tax Increase” (news article, May 18):
As an education nonprofit executive director, I always ruminate on President Barack Obama’s line when creating our budget: “A budget is more than just a series of numbers on a page; it is an embodiment of our values.” What does taxing up to 37 percent of a low-income student’s non-tuition assistance say about our values?
These students aren’t just numbers. They are the future; they are the next generation of public service leaders, community advocates, doctors, teachers, engineers and entrepreneurs.
I work alongside many of them every day, seeing the countless obstacles they overcome on their path to graduating from college. They embody determination, humility, gratitude, perseverance and compassion.
We should be more like them. Our values, whether in our tax code or budgets, should reflect them accordingly. Congress should act expeditiously, because these values don’t represent our country.
Alex Serna
San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
The writer is executive director of Breakthrough SJC, a nonprofit that guides low-income students through college.
Source: Read Full Article
Home » Analysis & Comment » Opinion | Give Low-Income Students a Tax Break
Opinion | Give Low-Income Students a Tax Break
To the Editor:
Re “Low-Income College Students Face Tax Increase” (news article, May 18):
As an education nonprofit executive director, I always ruminate on President Barack Obama’s line when creating our budget: “A budget is more than just a series of numbers on a page; it is an embodiment of our values.” What does taxing up to 37 percent of a low-income student’s non-tuition assistance say about our values?
These students aren’t just numbers. They are the future; they are the next generation of public service leaders, community advocates, doctors, teachers, engineers and entrepreneurs.
I work alongside many of them every day, seeing the countless obstacles they overcome on their path to graduating from college. They embody determination, humility, gratitude, perseverance and compassion.
We should be more like them. Our values, whether in our tax code or budgets, should reflect them accordingly. Congress should act expeditiously, because these values don’t represent our country.
Alex Serna
San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
The writer is executive director of Breakthrough SJC, a nonprofit that guides low-income students through college.
Source: Read Full Article