Senators propose tax break for NYPD donations

Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have introduced legislation that would provide a charitable tax deduction for people who donate to the families of two slain New York City police officers.

The proposal from the two New York Democrats would allow contributions to the families of Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos to be claimed as a 2014 tax deduction.

The senators’ legislation isn’t the first proposal aimed at incentivizing donations. Lawmakers passed a similar House bill late last month, which President Obama signed into law last week.

The two New York Police Department (NYPD) officers were shot and killed while on duty in Brooklyn in December. The suspected shooter, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, had ranted about police in messages online.

The killings came amid criticism of the NYPD following the death of Eric Garner, a black man who died after police officers arresting him for selling illegal cigarettes placed him in a chokehold.

Updated at 12 p.m.