Dear Representative XXXXXXXXXX,
Today, I learned of troubling information from the Volunteer Law Enforcement Officer Alliance, concerning a recently filed Bill in the House of Representatives, HR 343 “Volunteer Emergency Responders Tax Deduction Act”, which was designed to give a tax advantage to certain volunteer public safety personnel who expend their own time and money to assist the general public. The sponsor of the Bill is the Honorable David McKinley from West Virginia.
It was pointed out to me that the Bill as written does not include the thousands of volunteer reserve and auxiliary police and other volunteer peace officers who serve their communities around the country. These men and women not only place their lives on the line every day the don the uniform to volunteer, but they make a real difference in the quality of life in the communities that they serve.
I would be most appreciative and grateful if you might be able to assist me in having an amendment created that would encompass the men and women in blue who serve to protect, without compensation, and, who also in many instances purchase their own equipment, go through many hours of training that they must pay for themselves, and utilize their own vehicles while providing services to their communities. These volunteer officers do this to help make their communities better and safer places to live and work, to remain a ready reserve for their communities, and are on 24/7 call to assist with all types of natural and man-made disasters that may arise.
They too should be entitled to the same benefits as those others volunteer responders mentioned in the current Bill, especially in light of the current political climate and the additional dangers they now face. We should be doing all we can to encourage more citizens to volunteer in the area of public safety, and this Bill will help provide incentives to help off-set some of the costs they currently incur.
Thank you for your kind consideration and support for the law enforcement community.
Name
Title
Address
City, State
Phone