Young Op-Ed: Tax day marks new beginning for Hoosiers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an op-ed published today in the Northwest Indiana Times, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) shares tax reform success stories from Hoosiers across Indiana.

“Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law last December, success stories have poured into my office from Indiana businesses that are paying their workers more and from constituents who are earning more,” Senator Young wrote. “Northern Indiana Public Service Co., an energy distribution company based in Merrillville, is passing on $26 million in new savings to its customers. Andy Mark, Inc., a mechanical and electrical parts supplier in Kokomo is hiring more employees. And Muncie Aviation Company in Muncie is providing tax reform bonuses for all of its employees.”

Read Senator Young’s full op-ed here and below.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Tax day marks new beginning for Hoosiers
By: U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.)
Northwest Indiana Times
April 20, 2018
https://bit.ly/2JaB2J9

This Tuesday was the deadline for most Americans to file their tax returns. Known as Tax Day, it’s a deadline most of us dread year after year. Fortunately, this year was different. It was the very last time Americans had to file their taxes under the complicated, burdensome, outdated system of the past.

This week, we officially marked the beginning of a new tax code that is simpler, fairer, and allows hardworking Hoosiers to keep more of their hard-earned money.

I was proud to support historic tax reform legislation that has provided needed relief to Hoosier families and small businesses. Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law last December, success stories have poured into my office from Indiana businesses that are paying their workers more and from constituents who are earning more.

We are finding scores of companies in Indiana who have invested in their employees, invested in capital improvements, or lowered energy rates for consumers.

They range in size from large companies like Wal-Mart and AT&T, to smaller Indiana businesses like Family Express, which has 70 convenience stores across the state and now is building 10 more and increasing its starting wage.

“We feel obligated to pass on a significant portion of the tax savings to our staff,” Family Express President and CEO Gus Olympidis told The Times in February.

My guest to this year’s State of the Union was another beneficiary of this historic tax overhaul.

Chelsee Hatfield is a young mother of three, and a teller at a rural branch of First Farmers Bank and Trust in Tipton. She received a raise and a bonus as a result of tax reform. This additional income will help Chelsee go back to school to earn her associate degree, and it will enable her to put money away for her children’s future college education. Chelsee represents so many Americans who work in small towns, who live in our rural communities, and who are going to get a fair shot because of the benefits from tax reform.

The tax reform success stories don’t stop there.

Northern Indiana Public Service Co., an energy distribution company based in Merrillville, is passing on $26 million in new savings to its customers. Andy Mark, Inc., a mechanical and electrical parts supplier in Kokomo is hiring more employees. And Muncie Aviation Company in Muncie is providing tax reform bonuses for all of its employees.

One Hoosier who lives in Cedar Lake is growing his third-generation milk hauling business. Another who lives in southern Indiana, and works for U-Haul in Louisville, used his $500 tax bonus to pay a bill.

These bonuses and raises are allowing more Hoosiers to save for a rainy day, put money toward their child’s education, make repairs to their home and keep food on the table.

When we were debating tax reform, I listened carefully to feedback from home. I’m glad to say that Hoosier voices were heard, and they are receiving the tax relief they asked for.

I look forward to continue hearing Hoosiers’ tax reform success stories. And, like the rest of America, I’m glad this was the last Tax Day of the old, outdated system.

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