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Progress Made on Tax Extenders, Orphan Works; Tracking the Candidates' Positions on STEMOctober 7, 2008—The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424), which was signed by President Bush on October 3, included tax extenders provisions important to educational publishers. Title II, Extension of Individual Tax Provision, Sec. 203 is "Deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers." The bill appears to make no changes in the amount of the deduction; it amends the existing code by striking 'or 2007' and inserting '2007, 2008, or 2009,' and it will now apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007. In addition, Title III, Extension of Business Tax Provisions, Sec. 324 is the "Extension of enhanced charitable deduction for contributions of book inventory." Again, there seems to be no changes in the amount of the deduction; it was changed so that it ends Dec. 31, 2009. In contrast, the Orphan Works Act may not make it to the President's Office before the election. The Act, which reduces copyright infringement penalties for people those who make a due diligent search and believe they are using an abandoned work, was passed by the Senate and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. As mentioned in the Sept. 16, 2008, issue of AEP Online, a previous attempt to pass this legislation in 2006 never made it out of committee. Finally, while NCLB reauthorization and other education-related issues may be on hold, Science and Engineers for America and eighteen other science organizations have come together to ask the 2008 presidential candidates fourteen questions on science and technology policy, including their support for STEM. Regarding STEM education, both candidates called for more highly-qualified teachers. Senator Obama also promoted a piece of legislation he introduced: "Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education Act of 2008, " which would establish a STEM Education Committee within the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to coordinate the efforts of federal agencies engaged in STEM education, consolidate the STEM education initiatives that exist within the Department of Education under the direction of an Office of STEM Education, and create a State Consortium for STEM Education. Senator McCain proposed involving corporations in STEM education and allocating $250 million through a competitive grant program to support states that commit to expanding online education opportunities. More information Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 : H.R. 1424 "'Orphan
Works' Copyright Law Dies Quiet Death" Innovation
and the Elections 2008: Presidential Candidate Responses | ||||
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