In his State of the Union address, President Trump touted a tax break targeting poor neighborhoods that he said had helped a homeless vet get back on his feet. But AP found that the man never worked at a company that took advantage of the break.
In this Feb. 4, 2020, photo, Tony Rankins, center in red tie, receives a standing ovation during the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington. Rankins, a formerly homeless, drug-addicted Army vet, got the standing ovation after President Donald Trump described how he turned his life around thanks to a construction job at a company using the administration’s “Opportunity Zone” tax breaks targeting poor neighborhoods.
“After struggling with drug addiction, Tony lost his job, his house and his family. He was homeless. But then Tony found a construction company that invests in Opportunity Zones,” the president said in his Feb. 4 speech. “He is now a top tradesman, drug-free, reunited with his family.” Trump also praised Rankins’ employer, R Investments, for “working to help 200 people rise out of homelessness every year by investing in opportunity zones.”CEO Travis Steffens said he has hired hundreds of homeless to work at the 400 buildings the company has owned over the years, taking advantage of various tax breaks.
The Opportunity Zone program passed as part of Trump’s 2017 tax overhaul offers investors big savings in capital gains taxes if they put money into nearly 8,000 poor neighborhoods designated by the Treasury Department as neglected and needing the help. Trump has touted the program in several speeches as an example of how he is helping struggling African-Americans.
“My dad would give his last dollar to make sure that a mom and her kids had a meal,” Steffens said. He “taught me at young age, there’s no such thing as a self-made man.” “The publicity that this has given us is going to help us do more in the areas that we are in. And so I want to be sure that something is not painting the wrong picture, because if it that hurts us, it’s going to hurt these individuals in these areas,” he said. “We need the country to get behind what we’re doing.”
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Exploring New York State: A family road trip to Niagara Falls from New York CityTwo kids, two adults and a huge, stunning state to explore - from Lake George, to the Adirondack mountains and on to Niagara Falls
Consulte Mais informação »
New York state sues Trump admin over Global EntryAfter DHS banned New Yorkers from trusted traveler programs, New York Atty. General, Letitia James, called the move “political retribution.” She joins Ali Velshi to discuss why she’s suing the Trump administration for the 35th time, and explains why these programs are critical to New York’s economy.
Consulte Mais informação »
Trump accused of another quid pro quo, this time with New YorkPresident Trump appeared to link his administration's policies toward New York to a demand that the state drop investigations and lawsuits related to his administration as well as his personal business and finances
Consulte Mais informação »
Watch Michael Kors' Fall/Winter 2020 New York Fashion Week Show LiveWatch the designer's take on the season from anywhere.
Consulte Mais informação »
Natti Natasha Breaks Down Her Edgy New York Fashion Week LooksThe singer chatted with ET about her NYFW takeover, walking with Gloria Trevi during The Blonds show and more!
Consulte Mais informação »
What the New York Times' Rukmini Callimachi Wears to Interview the World's Most Dangerous Terrorists'For women in journalism, we often find ourselves tip-toeing a fine sartorial line between looking feminine and serious, but not stodgy,' rcallimachi says. 'For female reporters covering Islamic extremism it's on an entirely different level.'
Consulte Mais informação »