Thank you for contacting me regarding funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (S. 1403). As always, I value your input on all issues and appreciate hearing from you.
For decades, IDEA has required states to provide an appropriate education for all children with disabilities. As you may know, Part B of IDEA describes the processes that schools systems and states must use to identify and educate children (ages three to 21) with disabilities, and lays out parent and student rights. Part C describes early intervention services to babies and toddlers (newborns to age two) with disabilities or developmental delays.
On July 21, 2011, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act (S. 1403), which would provide funding through Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 for the grant program to assist states and outlying areas in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities. To pay for S. 1403, the bill proposes to increase the federal excise tax on cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, snuff, and chewing tobacco, with annual inflation adjustments.
I understand your concerns about how this proposed tax increase on tobacco products could impact individuals choosing to use these products. As a matter of principle, I support legislation that allows Americans to keep more of their own hard-earned money, which gives them the freedom to spend or save it as they choose. In this period of economic uncertainty, I believe that keeping the tax burden on individuals and families low is one of the most powerful ways to restore investment, job growth, and the financial stability of our economy.
Currently, S. 1403 is under review by the Senate Committee on Finance. While I am not a member of this committee, should this or related legislation come before the full Senate, I will be sure to keep your views in mind.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Should you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to contact me or visit my website at www.scottbrown.senate.gov.
Sincerely,
Scott P. Brown
United States Senator
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