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Dems: 'Buffett' tax proposal is ‘about fairness’
YOUNGSTOWN
A Democratic proposal to impose a minimum federal tax rate of 30 percent on millionaires is about “fairness,” said R.T. Rybak, vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee and mayor of Minneapolis.
Rybak visited Youngstown on Friday with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, to draw attention to President Barack Obama’s proposal, called the Buffett Rule, that the U.S. Senate will consider for a vote April 16, the day before the deadline to file personal income taxes.
The bill is named for prominent businessman Warren Buffett, who is critical of the tax code that allows him to have a lower federal tax rate than his secretary.
“We support people making money but not gaming the system,” Rybak said.
Rybak and Ryan acknowledge it’s highly unlikely the Senate will approve the bill. The bill won’t be introduced in the Republican- controlled House, Ryan added.
As part of a national effort, Democratic officials are traveling to key states, including Ohio, to tout the bill.
“This is a long-term issue rather than what will happen next week,” Ryan said.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has criticized the proposal as a “tax-hike show vote” that won’t create any jobs.