Rep. Panetta Reintroduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Support Early Childhood Educators

Monterey, CA - U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Supporting Early-Childhood Educators' Deductions (SEED) Actto ensure early childhood educators can claim the same federal tax deduction currently available to K-12 teachers. Reps. David Valadao (CA-22), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-11) co-lead this legislation. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Research shows that educators spend an average of $860 annually on supplies for their students. Yet, under current law, early childhood educators cannot deduct those out-of-pocket expenses. The SEED Act would correct this and provide tax relief to the teachers working with America's youngest learners.

The SEED Act would expand the above-the-line $300 educator expense deduction, established for K-12 teachers in 2002, to also include pre-K and early childhood educators. This deduction helps offset the hundreds of dollars teachers spend out of their own pockets each year on classroom supplies, books, and learning materials.

"Early childhood educators often reach into their own pockets to cover the cost of classroom materials for their students," said Rep. Panetta. "The SEED Act would allow them to claim the same tax deduction already available to K-12 teachers. This change not only provides relief for those educators but also shows that we value their commitment to giving our youngest children the foundation they need to thrive."

"Access to quality education is one of the most important issues facing Central Valley families, and that begins with early childhood education,"said Rep. Valadao. "Teachers spend on average $860 per year on classroom supplies to ensure their students can succeed, but while K-12 educators can claim the educator expense deduction, those teaching Pre-K and younger cannot. No teacher should have to choose between paying out of pocket or providing basic classroom needs, and this bipartisan bill expands the deduction so early childhood educators can focus on teaching the next generation rather than worrying about costs."

"Teaching is the ultimate act of optimism and safeguard of our democracy. America's early childhood educators pour their hearts into their work, and far too often, their own money, just to do their jobs," said Rep. Goodlander. "These educators deserve the same tax deduction other teachers get, and I am proud to lead this commonsense, bipartisan bill that'll do just that."

"For early childhood teachers, every crayon, book, and learning tool is more than a supply - it's an investment in a child's future. In PA-1 and across the nation, our educators routinely reach into their own paychecks because they refuse to let a student go without," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "The SEED Act affirms their dedication by extending to pre-K educators the same classroom deduction K-12 teachers already receive, correcting an unfair exclusion, strengthening the workforce, and putting more resources into our children's hands during their most critical years."

"As a former school superintendent, I know that many educators often spend their own money to provide their students with the supplies they need to succeed," said Sen. Bennet. "We must ensure that all educators - especially those who teach our youngest children - can deduct these costs from their taxes. I'm grateful to work with bipartisan partners in Congress and in Colorado to pass this bill and deliver for educators and kids."

"In Maine and across the country, we are fortunate to have so many dedicated educators who work hard to ensure that every child has a learning environment that is safe, welcoming, and enriching," said Sen. Collins. "In spite of tight budgets and their own modest salaries, it is truly remarkable how often teachers use money out of their own pockets to purchase classroom supplies for their children. As the author of the original tax credit for K-12 teachers, I am delighted to join this effort to expand this benefit to pre-K educators. This tax credit would help more people by reimbursing early childhood educators for the resources they invest in our children's future."

The SEED Act is supported by a broad coalition of education and child advocacy organizations, including the Center for American Progress, the American Federation of Teachers, Teach For America, the First Five Years Fund, and Trying Together.

"Early educators play a vital role in helping children learn and grow while preparing them to enter kindergarten ready to succeed, yet too often they pay out of pocket for necessary classroom supplies. The SEED Act is a commonsense, bipartisan proposal from Representatives Panetta, Goodlander, Valadao, and Fitzpatrick that would ease this burden and support the educators our youngest learners and their families rely on every day," said Sarah Rittling, Executive Director of the First Five Years Fund.

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