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Rep. Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) today urged low income tax filers to use the IRS’s free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program to save the cost of tax preparation and to make sure they are taking advantage of all tax credits, including the Earned Income Credit. A list of the VITA sites from throughout the 21st Congressional District is posted on Rep. Tonko’s web site,… Read more »

Vita Sites for 21st district of NY.docClick on link to view listThe Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers free tax help to people who generally make $42,000 or less who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns. The program is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service.### Read more »

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) voted today in favor of legislation (H.R. 1586) that would impose a 90% income tax on bonuses paid to individuals from companies that have received more than $5 billion in TARP funds. That would include $165 million in bonuses paid to executives with American International Group. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.“Taxpayer funds… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko joined a bi-partisan majority in the House of Representatives today in voting for a bill that will create a new era of American service and volunteerism. The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act answers President Obama’s call for Americans to help the country though our economic crisis by serving and volunteering in their… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) said today that President Obama’s plan to unfreeze credit markets will be good news for small businesses, which have had a tough time getting loans as the nation’s economy has slowed. Rep. Tonko attended the President’s announcement in the East Room of the White House this morning.The President’s plan will raise government loan… Read more »

Rep. Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) said today that New York will receive $517,796,513 in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for weatherization and and energy efficiency programs for low-income individuals, following an announcement by President Obama and the Department of Energy this morning detailing those funds.  According to the Department of Energy, New York will… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) is calling on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to reassess the dangers associated with years of pollution at the NL Industries site in Colonie, following today's hearing by the Subcommittee of Investigations and Oversight of the House Science and Technology Committee. The subcommittee heard testimony on several cases… Read more »

The House Education and Labor Committee today approved an amendment to the GIVE Act offered by U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) and Committee Chairman George Miller (D-California) which would establish a "Social Innovation Fund" for people who identify unique and innovative solutions to community issues. The fund would provide seed money to so-called "social… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko today praised Governor David Paterson's 2009 New York State Rail Plan, saying he is thrilled that the state is moving forward on a strategy for high speed rail.   Governor Paterson unveiled the plan during a news conference this morning at the Rensselaer Train Station. It details a strategy to improve New York's rail infrastructure with the goals of… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) today praised President Obama and New York Governor David Paterson after the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster funds will be made available to nine counties devastated by the ice storm on December 11th of last year. The major disaster declaration makes federal aid available to state and local governments and certain… Read more »