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April 15, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: Today is April 15. After I finish writing this letter I’ll be writing a check to the IRS for my federal taxes. Before I do it, I’m taking a moment to be grateful for what the government has done for me over the last four years.
As a small business owner in a vulnerable industry, I’m grateful for the Paycheck Protection Act that allowed me to keep every staff member fully employed through the pandemic.
I’m grateful for the $35 a month cap on insulin for people on Medicare, like my sister Leslie.
On behalf of my friends and neighbors, I’m grateful for the American Rescue Plan that helped so many here in Rockbridge County with rent and mortgage assistance, expanded child tax credits, and unemployment insurance. I’m grateful the child poverty rate has been lowered and recession has been held at bay.
I’m grateful for federal funds that paid to repair the Nelson Street bridge over Woods Creek and put a new roof on the Glasgow Community Center. I’m grateful for new manufacturing jobs, new broadband expansion projects, and for funding to update the Maury Service Authority’s water treatment plant.
There are a lot more things I could mention. For now, just thinking of these accomplishments makes writing that tax check a lot easier.
I’ll be thinking of these things in November, too.
STEPHANIE WILKINSON Lexington
