As our economy is in turmoil and manufacturing jobs continue to be shipped overseas, it is an accepted fact that technology and innovation will carry our economy into the 21st century. This innovative, cutting-edge thinking is not being done by bankers, lobbyists, or hedge-fund managers. Innovating is done in the laboratory by Ph.D. and M.S. students. To make the long process of getting a professional degree less incentivized does a huge detriment to our country’s future. If various efforts are being made to purchase a home by adding tax exemptions or rebates, it seems only fitting to restore the tax exempt status of graduate student stipends to promote this difficult but worthwhile career path.
Please restore the federal tax exempt status lost in 1986 to graduate student stipends.