(LibertySociety.com) – Three Republican-led states proposed bills in January that would give police officers a reprieve from paying state income taxes as a way to incentivize more people to join the men and women in blue. According to the Police Executive Research Forum, resignations from the force are up 18%, and retirement is up 45%.
To counter this trend, Georgia, New Mexico, and Kentucky decided to take action. Police have a dangerous job protecting American citizens and have been under intense scrutiny, keeping many from entering the noble profession.
GOP lawmakers in 3 states introduced bills to waive state taxes for police officers as a way to recruit more law enforcement https://t.co/khK8nTjn84
— Insider News (@InsiderNews) February 14, 2022
These moves are not without backlash, though. Critics of the legislation say the measures will not only prove ineffective, but also take away from the funds used to help the states while potentially rewarding officers who abuse their positions. Instead, many would like to see the creation of a merit-based incentive program or tuition reimbursement options for officers.
The proposals also caused many to question why lawmakers excluded other public service positions from the legislation. Kentucky GOP Representative Ryan Dotson said he wants to extend the tax break to other roles like firefighters and teachers. In fact, he wants to rid Kentucky of state taxes altogether, but law enforcement officers are currently struggling most from attrition.
If lawmakers can entice more people to become police officers, perhaps they can, in turn, motivate people to serve in other public service roles.
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