For Immediate Release:
February 9, 2011
Contact: Elise Marsh
804-698-1034
Delegate
Comstock’s Telework Tax Credit Bill
Passes
In House Of Delegates
Richmond, VA – The House of Delegates
passed House Bill 2197, which will create a Telework Tax Credit, by a
bipartisan vote of 89-10 on Tuesday, February 8. The Senate passed a similar bill unanimously this week.
The bill provides a tax credit to employers for
expenses incurred in allowing employees to telework, pursuant to a signed
telework agreement for taxable years, beginning on or after January 1, 2012,
through 2013. An employer would be
eligible for a credit of up to $1,200 per teleworking employee, with a maximum
of $50k per employer. The bill was
a recommendation of the Governor’s Reform Commission and supported by the
Northern Virginia Technology Council who has long been a leader in promoting
telework policies.
Delegate
Comstock issued the following statement on the passage of the measure in the
House:
“Teleworking is a 21st century workplace option
that can reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as cut gasoline
consumption and dependency on foreign oil. It also helps provide a more
family friendly workplace that gives Moms and Dads more time at home and less time
sitting in traffic. Telework gives employees the
flexibility they need to meet daily demands and can be a great recruitment tool
for businesses. Employers get the benefit of increased productivity, improved
morale, fewer sick leave days used, better worker retention, and reduced costs
for office space.
“With the winter storms we
have just experienced, we are also reminded that Telework allows employees the
flexibility to stay off the roads in bad weather, work from home, and meet
their child care needs when schools are closed. I first started working on this issue and telecommuting
almost 20 years ago when I first worked for our Congressman Frank Wolf. This bill is a win-win solution for
employers and employees and I look forward to working on this initiative.”
About Delegate Barbara Comstock
Barbara Comstock was elected in November 2009, to represent
the 34th District (Great Falls, parts of McLean, Vienna and Herndon) in the
Virginia House of Delegates. She serves on the Transportation Committee, the
Science and Technology Committee and the General Laws Committee, where she
serves as Chairman of the Housing Subcommittee. Barbara was appointed by the
Governor to serve on the Governor's Economic Development and Job Creation
Commission and, also, was appointed by the Speaker to serve on the Northern
Virginia Transportation Commission. Barbara also serves on The National Capital
Region Transportation Planning Board.
Barbara Comstock is a 28 year resident of McLean, Virginia. She and her
husband, Chip, an assistant principal at Oakton High School, have raised their
three children in McLean. Barbara served as a senior aide to Virginia
Congressman Frank R. Wolf, Chief Counsel to the House Government Reform and
Oversight committee, and the Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Justice
Department. Barbara is on the Board of Friends of Clemyjontri Park in
McLean and Childhelp and is a member of the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, the
Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Virginia Technology
Council. Barbara is a small businesswoman and attorney.
For more information, please visit http://www.delegatecomstock.com
or call 703-209-3787. You can also follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BarbaraComstock
or at Facebook on http://www.facebook.com/ComstockforDelegate.
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