Education Dept. Forwards Letter From Sisisky Constituent

Scott S. Fleming of the U.S. Department of Education has forwarded Treasury a letter that his agency received from Rep. Norman Sisisky, R-Va. In his letter, Sisisky asks the education department to answer questions from one of his constituents. The constituent, whose name was withheld, asks Sisisky to introduce a bill that would offer young professionals the opportunity to have their student loans forgiven if they accept jobs in small, rural areas. The measure is needed, he says, because many young professionals like him are saddled with tremendous debt, but will not receive the benefit of the new student loan interest deduction because their loans are too old.

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March 27, 1998

Honorable Norman Sisisky

Dear Representative Sisisky:

[1] Thank you for your letter on behalf of (b)(3) concerning the Hope Scholarships and Lifelong Learning Tax credit enacted in last year's Balanced Budget legislation.

[2] Since this is a matter that falls within the jurisdiction of the Department of the Treasury, your correspondence has been referred to Linda L. Robertson, Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at that agency. I trust you will hear from her soon.

[3] Please feel free to contact Theresa Toye, of my staff, at 202/401-1040, should you have any questions regarding this correspondence. If the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs can be of further assistance, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Scott S. Fleming

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January 9, 1998

Ms. Kay Kasstevens

Dear Ms. Kasstevens:

[4] I am enclosing a copy of the correspondence I have received from (b)(3) of (b)(3), Virginia.

[5] Please examine the contents and answer the questions raised.

[6] Please respond to me at 43 Rives Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely

Norman Sisisky

enclosure

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January 7, 1998

Congressman Norman Sisisky

Re: New Legislation-Education Tax Credit

Dear Congressman:

[7] After reading the latest version of the Education Tax Credit bill on January 1, 1998, for the so called "middle-class" taxpayers, I find it necessary to write to say that the entire middle-class wasn't included in this bill. All double income, middle- class families should be a participant in this tax incentive plan and not just the lower end. My wife and I work full-time, earn less than $70,000.00 combined, and have a tough time making ends meet. When I left home to attend college, I secured my own student loans through general college and graduate school. After graduation, I owed a tremendous amount to education, not to mention, mortgage, taxes, vehicles, insurances, etc.

[8] Also, Mr. Congressman, the present tax plan is only for the first five years/sixty months of the student loan. Most students who have loans through Sallie Mae or the Virginia Education Loan Association are at a minimum of ten years, if not extended to twenty. Presently, I am on my eighth year, but I will not benefit from this plan. What was President Clinton and his advisors thinking? In my opinion, the hardest hit taxpayers are those who earn less than $100,000.00, and have to pay back student loans. And then you hear about the many doctors and lawyers who never pay back these loans. Its not fair to me, as a law abiding, hard-working middle-class citizen.

[9] Mr. Congressman, I am 31 years old and some day I want to start a family, but I do not feel that I can afford it. I'm positive that I am not alone regarding this issue, families are struggling. We need your help! I know that it may be a little too late for amendments to this particular tax bill, but the issue is still there. One solution perhaps, as I understand it, if doctors move to a small town/"depressed" area, work for more than five years, their students loans are forgiven. I, as a government official, and other young professionals should receive the same incentive, while improving services for small, rural areas.

[10] My grandmother, (b)(3), on occasion, would write to her elected officials regarding certain issues that she felt necessary to protest. In her passing last year, I felt prompted to carry out her persistent behavior in understanding why. And as a note, she was a "die-hard" and very feisty Democrat. Mr. Congressman, I am writing to you because you get matters resolved, as I have experienced in the past. I have always been a republican, but after meeting you for the first time several years ago, I now vote on the issues, not the party.

[11] Mr. Congressman, I am the (b)(3) for the City of (b)(3) have written to you on many occasions, and you have been extremely helpful. As a personal issue, I would appreciate your attention regarding this matter. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Very truly yours,

United States Department of