Peoria Standard

On Monday, Congressman Darin LaHood led a Ways and Means Committee American Workforce Tax Team Roundtable in Peoria, Illinois. The focus was on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), with participation from the Critical Labor Coalition.

The roundtable is part of an initiative by Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee to review key provisions from the 2017 Trump tax cuts, also known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). These provisions are set to expire in 2025. The goal is to find legislative solutions that support working families and small businesses.

The American Workforce Tax Team, under Rep. LaHood's leadership, is exploring ways to enhance workforce hiring and retention, childcare and paid leave incentives, and education through tax policy. The roundtable allowed local small businesses in Peoria to discuss how the WOTC positively impacts them by enabling investments in job seekers who face employment barriers, such as veterans or individuals on social welfare programs.

Local businesses participating included Avanti's, Conn's Hospitality Group, Mercedes Restaurants, Burger King, and GOT JOBS America, LLC. "The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act generated the best economy in my lifetime," said Rep. LaHood. He emphasized that Congress must prevent tax hikes for Illinois families and small businesses when key provisions expire in 2025.

Misty Chally, Executive Director of the Critical Labor Coalition, highlighted the importance of WOTC: "As workforce shortages persist, the WOTC provides an essential pathway for small businesses to invest in local talent." She expressed commitment to collaborating with Congressman LaHood and the American Workforce Tax Team.

The House Ways and Means Committee has sole jurisdiction over tax policy. In 2017, it passed TCJA with significant tax cuts for workers and small businesses. As these are set to expire in 2025, Republicans have formed ten “Tax Teams” to study expiring provisions from TCJA.

Congressman LaHood chairs both the American Workforce Tax Team and serves on the Community Development Tax Team. These teams focus on improving workforce incentives as well as addressing housing tax policy issues.