Bill Text: NJ AR167 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Congress to pass "SAVE Act," which revokes tax-exempt status of certain professional sports leagues and uses revenue from closed tax loophole to fund domestic violence programs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-10-02 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee [AR167 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR167-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman TIMOTHY J. EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblyman JOSEPH A. LAGANA
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman ELIANA PINTOR MARIN
District 29 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Sumter and Vainieri Huttle
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress to pass "SAVE Act," which revokes tax-exempt status of certain professional sports leagues and uses revenue from closed tax loophole to fund domestic violence programs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging Congress to pass the "SAVE Act," which revokes the tax-exempt status of certain professional sports leagues and uses the new tax revenue to fund domestic violence programs.
Whereas, More than 40 million women in the United States have experienced some form of domestic violence in their lifetime and stopping domestic violence is a national priority that requires long-term, meaningful investment; and
Whereas, New Jersey law enforcement agencies reported 70,311 domestic violence offenses in 2011; and
Whereas, The National Football League (NFL) has recently fallen under scrutiny for its poor handling of domestic violence cases involving some of its players; and
Whereas, Since 1944, the NFL has enjoyed an exemption from federal taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(6); and
Whereas, According to the NFL's last available federal tax filing, the league generated nearly $10 billion in revenue and awarded its commissioner more than $44 million in salary and bonuses in 2012; and
Whereas, Professional football has been the most popular sport in the United States for nearly 50 years and NFL viewership has been trending upward, leading the NFL front office to predict its total revenue could reach $25 billion by 2027; and
Whereas, American taxpayers are losing approximately $10 million annually by subsidizing tax loopholes for professional sports leagues that generate billions of dollars in revenue; and
Whereas, On September 16, 2014, United States Senator Cory Booker introduced S.2816, the "Securing Assistance for Victim Empowerment Act," or the "SAVE Act," to close the tax loophole exploited by the NFL and other professional sports leagues; and
Whereas, Under the "SAVE Act," the tax revenue recovered by closing this tax loophole would be utilized to finance domestic violence programs administered by the federal Department of Health and Human Services to help fund shelters, counseling, support for children who witness domestic violence, and preventative efforts through various state programs; and
Whereas, The "SAVE Act" could generate $100 million in funding for domestic violence programs nationwide to ensure that victims of domestic violence have the resources they need to break away from their abusers and begin rebuilding their lives; and
Whereas, It is in the best interest of the citizens and residents of this State for this House to promote increased funding for domestic violence programs by urging Congress to pass the "SAVE Act" and strip the NFL of its tax-exempt status in response to the league's shameful handling of domestic violence within its ranks; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges Congress to pass the "SAVE Act," which revokes the tax-exempt status of certain professional sports leagues and uses the revenue to fund domestic violence programs.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, and to each member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges Congress to pass the "SAVE Act," which revokes the tax-exempt status of certain professional sports leagues and uses the revenue to fund domestic violence programs.
On September 16, 2014, United States Senator Cory Booker introduced S.2816, the "Securing Assistance for Victim Empowerment Act," or the "SAVE Act," to close tax loopholes exploited by the NFL and other professional sports leagues. Since 1944, the NFL has enjoyed an exemption from federal taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(6) despite generating billions of dollars in revenue annually. American taxpayers lose approximately $10 million annually subsidizing tax loopholes for professional sports leagues. The "SAVE Act," would use the revenue recovered by closing these tax loopholes to provide $100 million in funding to domestic violence prevention programs and support programs for victims of domestic violence.
The NFL and its commissioner, who currently earns over $44 million annually, have recently fallen under scrutiny for their shameful handling of domestic violence cases involving some of the league's players. More than 40 million women in the United States have experienced some form of domestic violence in their lifetime. New Jersey law enforcement agencies reported 70,311 domestic violence offenses in 2011. Stopping this epidemic of domestic violence is a national priority that requires long-term, meaningful investment.
This House urges Congress to pass the "SAVE Act" to close the tax loopholes exploited by professional sports leagues while providing much needed funding for domestic violence programs.
