TX Bill Would Give Tax Breaks to Firms That Break Obamacare Law

A state lawmaker has proposed relief to companies that get fined for denying contraception coverage to employees

Companies in Texas would get tax breaks for violating an Obamacare rule, under a bill proposed by a state lawmaker.

If the measure becomes law, it would give state subsidies to any company fined by the federal government for refusing to cover emergency contraception, such as the morning-after pill, in its health insurance plan, according to the Austin American Statesman.

The Obamacare law requires companies to have health insurance plans that cover contraception costs for employees. Under the proposed plan by Republican Rep. Jonathan Stickland, companies would be let off the hook for state taxes up to the amount they owe in federal penalties.

"When a business is being stressed nearly to the point of bankruptcy by punitive federal taxes, of course the state should give them relief," Stickland said in the news release.

The controversial contraception mandate in Obamacare was the topic of a high profile lawsuit. A federal judge last month ruled that Hobby Lobby, a craft chain store, must cover contraception costs for its employees despite the owners' religious objections.

Via the Austin American Statesman and Huffington Post

Posted 2:30pm PST.

Is it right for a state to offer tax breaks to companies for violating federal law?

[harold_lloyd]

It's pretty stupid, and is another case of 'pandering to the base'.

Wait until the businesses in Texas, and elsewhere, find out that the ACA saves them money.

And who is going to pay for the subsidies?

[Knightkore]

ACA saves them money? How exactly? And when you're a church/christian business how does that then not violate your conscience? Seriously....think this through a bit....

[harold_lloyd]

@Knightmare
As to your conscience, you don't need to avail yourself of anything that violates your conscience. But you can't stop someone that works for you from doing so.

What's the problem with that?

Should you be able to forbid your employees from using birth control?

As to the cost savings, there's a lot of subsidies that people are overlooking.
If you dig, you'll see what I mean.

[Dan_Tien]

@Knightmare Why do churches and Christian businesses hire people who do not share their views in the first place? Because not doing so would be discriminatory? So if their conscience does not justify their refusal to hire people whose actions or beliefs conflict with theirs, why should they be able refuse those people insurance coverage options based on their conscience?

[martydotcom]

Look at what political pandering has cost Pap Johns

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/12...

[scotta]

Why is this not fair. They forced Obama care down our throats. The majority of the public did not want the care.

[Knightkore]

In this case....I applaud Texas....

[thejimbo]

GOD BLESS TEXAS!

[marine1]

States should have had the option to opt out of obama care like some of the unions did

[marine1]

and the federal goverment

[thejimbo]

@marine1 They can't have the cake and eat it too... which one will it be?

[marine1]

@thejimbo why not, Washington does

[stepped_in_it]

Isn't there already enough Texans in Texas......Do we need more?

[jessejaymes]

We can settle this very easily. Just let Texas Secede. We don't need them anyhow.

[DARSB]

What? And make them eligible for foreign aid? ;)

[jessejaymes]

@DARSB LOLOL Ok you got me on that one. But they're returning to Mexico anyhow as it is so that would just be part of the larger aid package right?

[rkinsawjoe]

@DARSB It's been a terrible day and that was the first laugh I've had. Thanks for it.

[texas_cutie75]

@DARSB

As I was trying to figure out just what I was gonna say to jessejaymes, I caught this.... I had to laugh!!

[DARSB]

@jessejaymes @texas_cutie75 @rkinsawjoe Y'all are too kind. Thank you.

[DARSB]

It's hard to see how this would be judged constitutional under the supremacy clause.

[DerivePI]

Agree, looks like Texas will need the services of that Georgetown constitutional law professor.

http://politix.topix.com/homepage/4333-is-the...

[Yank]

Who would this try to override or conflict with federal law? The federal law is not impacted.

[cleverusername]

@Yank Exactly

[Raptor]

I think that it is quiet clear that the sun has baked their little pea brains in texas, that being said it is illegal to brake any laws.Contrary to most republicans who think they can get to pick and choose.

[Denizen_Kate]

Right. And I'm wondering if the taxpayers in Texas realize that this money will come directly out of their pockets.

[NTBFW]

You had me at"against Obama care"

[Vance1]

anything against this "Obamacare" is great!!

[ConserveUSA]

Get a strong conservative back in the White House in 2016 and this crap can be repealed.

[RealHonesTruth]

@ConserveUSA There are not enough angry old white men to elect a strong conservative.

[ConserveUSA]

@RealHonesTruth Playing the old race card. Obama does not care for Real America Black Communities.

[RealHonesTruth]

@ConserveUSA What does Obama and Blacks have to do with the fact that there are not enough angry old white men to elect a strong conservative?

[ConserveUSA]

@RealHonesTruth Herman Cain could have done a better job. Obama keeps things Ghetto Like. Enough said and I stick with my beliefs as you do.

[Waynestew]

If states want to pay comany penalties that's fine. The ACA goes into affect many openings will be changed on all sides of the issue. Everyone needs to SHUT UP about it and wait for the actual situation will arise.

[WMCOL]

No problem since Texas pays more to Feds than it gets back and the companies have the choice to assume the penalty. It's their option, and it is the states option to give them a tax credit. No it is not right but it is legal. Could help change Texas to blue state.

[Jack-Black]

LOL. I love Texas. If this passes I hope SC follows.

[Ashstop]

I am so proud to be a Texan !! Great idea!!

[ConserveUSA]

I hoping for a Texas US President! Texas has Great Leaders!!!

[ConserveUSA]

This is great!!! Texas has Great Leadership!

[RealHonesTruth]

Bush was great at living up to his name. Bu(ll) Sh (you know the rest)

[ConserveUSA]

@RealHonesTruth Whatever, this president is a total disgrace for any group of people.

[RealHonesTruth]

@ConserveUSA Why? Is it because he's Black? I love President Obama, and there is nothing you can do or say that would change it. Obamacare saved my dad's life, enough said.

[ConserveUSA]

@RealHonesTruth Nope.

[ConserveUSA]

@RealHonesTruth Enough said. Just waiting on 2016 for taking back America. I lover Herman Cain!

[Oneness3am_i]

Want let go TX.. You are a State

[RealHonesTruth]

Aren't we talking about the same state that has Mr. Rick 'Oops' Perry as Governor

[Reddog2020]

I suggest we move Texas to right smack in the middle of Iran . Then, THEN I would go along with this nuke Iran bullshit.

[mbill935]

The right question here is : Does the federal government have the right to impose regulations on a persons religious beliefs. the answer is no.
Or perhaps while the government is imposing on our religious beliefs we should pass law stating that obama and his fellow muslims must eat pork at least twice a week because its "the other white meat". fair enough ....i think so!!

[ConserveUSA]

The thing is that the Feds need to stay out of Health Care.

[Sabio]

why not? if you can reward an illegal for coming here and breaking a federal law every day they are in this country, and then pay them on top of that to do so, then why the hell not?!?!?!shoe fits on both feet for this one liberals!

[Grubby]

A great idea. Anything we can possibly do to undermine the bad policies and laws coming out of this administration is a step in the right direction. Obamacare is going to dramatically increase costs and cut services for our entire country.