Revamping the Tax Code: Leveling the Playing Field for All by Ending Billionaire and Corporate Breaks

In a recent trip to Washington, D.C., Linda Somo, president of the Arizona Alliance of Retired Americans, voiced her concerns regarding the inequities in the tax system. She urged Arizona’s congressional delegation to support a fairer tax code that effectively addresses the disparity in tax burdens between the wealthy and the middle class.

As a former public school teacher deeply invested in her community, Somo highlighted the adverse impacts of the 2017 Republican tax law. She argued that the law disproportionately favored the rich, allowing millionaires and billionaires to escape their tax responsibilities while middle-class families were left to bear the financial strain.

Somo pointed out that many large corporations, despite generating substantial profits during the pandemic, managed to evade federal taxes altogether. This situation raises a critical question about fairness in the current tax system, especially considering that middle-class taxpayers are often expected to fund essential public services such as education and healthcare.

The consequences of the tax code have placed an additional burden on Arizona, which ranks lowest in education funding. Somo emphasized that when the wealthy and corporations do not contribute equitably, it is the working families, retirees, and small business owners who are left to fill the gap.

Somo expressed her frustration with the current system, advocating for a tax code that supports opportunities for future generations. She believes ensuring access to quality education and healthcare is essential for achieving the American Dream.

As Congress considers reauthorizing the 2017 tax law, Somo is calling for an end to the tax cuts that have primarily benefited the ultra-wealthy. Instead, she insists on developing a new system that serves the needs of all citizens, not just the affluent few.

Advocating for equitable tax reform, Somo stressed that such changes would lead to better funding for education, improved healthcare access, and a reinforced social safety net for Americans. She believes it is imperative for elected officials to reject the continuation of tax cuts that exacerbate inequalities faced by hardworking Arizonans.