Letters to the Editor: A quote that may need clarification

To the Editor:

Thank you for The Recorder’s excellent April 17 “Progressives rally for taxing the rich” by Martin Wilbur.

Many of your readers know that One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shrink government services. The “historic relief for the middle class and working families” that the Lawler campaign notes in the story, such as no-tax on tips, will not counterbalance the direct hit from the cuts and broader impact across the economy.

Many of your readers are aware of the limitations in the relief the campaign talks of. With the no-tax on tips for example, there’s a limit on the amount and even the kind of tip. It’s only federal, not payroll. A lot of folks who depend on tips don’t even earn enough to pay federal taxes. Also, the relief is only in place for the next two years.

Mr. Lawler’s campaign frames it as protecting residents from the largest tax hike in history.

However the tax increase would have occurred because the 2017 cuts expire. Cuts that will add $4.7 trillion to the national debt and will likely impact inflation and most certainly impact interest rates. The Peter G. Peterson Foundation writes that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act along with tariffs will reduce after-tax income for the bottom 90% of Americans.

Jean Duckett South Salem