Two new plans from potential Democratic presidential candidates, Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Chris Van Hollen, aimed at exempting lower-income people from paying taxes are being criticized by party policy experts for being poorly structured and working against progressive goals in the long term. The proposals, which have not yet been finalized, also include new taxes on higher earners and new benefits for parents. Critics argue that the proposals could benefit wealthier voters as much as the poor, since higher earners already pay lower income taxes and Booker's proposal to significantly increase the “standard deduction” most tax filers use to reduce their income subject to tax would benefit them significantly. However, it is unlikely that these proposals will be the last Democrats propose cutting taxes on lower- and middle-income earners.