In the News

WASHINGTON - Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) is celebrating an 11th-hour deal for an increase in state and local tax (SALT) deductions as part of President Trump's spending bill as the measure still faces opposition from fiscal hawks for final passage in the House.

"For the middle class, this is a real win, especially in a state like New York," Lawler told The Post in an exclusive interview Wednesday trumpeting the increase from the current $10,000

to a $40,000 deduction cap for individual filers, noting how his constituents suffer the highest taxes in the country between property and income rates.

An amendment has yet to be filed formally implementing the changes in the House Rules Committee, but House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) has promised the additions - along with changes to Medicaid and green-energy tax credits' spending — will be published before the full vote.

The Hudson Valley Republican sat through marathon meetings for weeks with White House officials, House Speaker Mike Johnson's team, GOP members of the chamber's SALT caucus - and Trump himself - and forged ahead with fellow Empire State GOP Reps. Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino and Elise Stefanik, as well as Reps.

Tom Kean (R-NJ) and Young Kim (R-Caht.) to raise the cap after a prior proposal to make it $30,000.

This article was published in print on May 22, 2025.