On the eve of Tax Day Kroger, the largest grocery store chain in the world, announced that thanks to the GOP tax reform bill, the corporation will expand tuition reimbursements to employees by five times the current amount. The decision includes part-time workers.

Both full and part-time employees who have worked for Kroger six months will now be eligible for up to $3,500 in tuition reimbursement each year. The company will invest up to $21,000 in each employee’s education over multiple years whether it’s a GED, college or advanced courses or professional certification.

Additional increases in benefits for employees include:

• Kroger is increasing its 401(k) match to 5 percent, up a percentage point, starting June 1.
• Kroger is expanding the use of a 10 percent employee discount on it offers on its private-label products, known as Our Brands. Last year, the discount saved employees a combined $53 million. It will now be offered in all stores and apply to an expanded list of products.
• Kroger is expanding its internal support program, Helping Hands, which provided $700,000 last year to 1,100 employees impacted by hurricanes. Kroger is boosting its annual allotment for the program to $5 million, up from $2 million in prior years.

Sounds good, right? Kroger is also the third largest employer in America. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, it was only natural for Ohio’s Republican senator to be on hand at the announcement Monday. Senator Rob Portman, a long time fighter for tax reform, is traveling across the state on a “tax reform tour” and issued this statement:

“So far this year, I’ve visited 14 different Ohio businesses to discuss the positive impact tax reform is already having, and today I was pleased to join Kroger—the largest supermarket chain in the world, headquartered here in Cincinnati—as it announced its plans to make new investments in its employees,” said Senator Portman.  “I was especially pleased to see how Kroger employees will benefit from additional education opportunities to help them build a better future and a higher 401(k)match to strengthen their retirement.  This business is paying forward the benefits of tax reform to its employees, and that’s exactly what Congress intended when we crafted the tax reform law.  In addition to the pro-growth business tax reforms, workers are keeping more of their hard-earned money because of individual tax cuts in the new law.  With Tax Day tomorrow, families across the state and country are already realizing many of the benefits of this new law and will continue to benefit from the new tax code in the future.  With the help of tax reform, we are once again making our country the beacon of inspiration that shines on the rest of the world.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, Democrats are flailing about trying to counter the historic legislation by calling it a scam. The latest clap back from them includes a lame video created by comedy writer Ben Wexler, of”Funny or Die” and “Arrested Development,” fame. The ad is called  “Diamond Teeth.”

The Democrats (and the only Republican to vote with the Democrats, Senator Bob Corker) really have no defense for showing zero support in voting for tax cuts and relief for working families.  Going back to the same old trope that only the 1% of income earners and corporations will benefit is predictable and not at all what people are discovering. This silly 52-second digital ad won’t change anyone’s mind. It’s just more of the same from Democrats. This is more of the obvious – liberal bubble dwellers on both coasts really need to get out and visit regular people in middle America.  The folks in Ohio certainly don’t think tax reform is a joke. To say so is just an insult to them.