Just before they went on their August break, our great Republican senate brought to the floor the
Estate Tax and Minimum Wage bill. We decided to take a look at the actual bill while we waited for Connecticut to make a statement for the rest of the country. We were so impressed, we just had to share it with everyone.'SNARK' This bill passed the house with 196 Republican and 34 Democrat votes. The senate vote was 52 Republican and 4 Democrats, for a total of 56 or 4 votes short of passing. (Two Democrats did not vote-one being Lieberman) Frist changed his vote to a no at the end so he could bring the bill up again after the August recess. In other words, the administration will work on at least 4 more senators over the next month and pass the thing in September if we don't stop it. Of course we all understand what the MSM has been advocating in reference to billions for the top one percent of Americans versus two dollars an hour, over three years, for the working poor.
That is the beginning (Title 1)and the end of the bill(Title IV)- it is the middle (everything in between)that opens your eyes and makes you think. Could you vote yeah or nay on this in its entirety? 4 Democrats did: Byrd of WV, Lincoln of AR, Nelson of NE, and Nelson of FL. I suggest we all start calling our Senators now and let them know we are aware of this travesty and are ashamed that anyone would vote for such a farce. 25 days until the senate resumes session and 90 days until Nov. 7. So much to do, so little time- but somehow we have to stay alert to everything they will try to do when they think we aren't paying attention.
If you want to check out the Bill with all links working go to
http://thomas.loc.gov/...
H.R.5970
Estate Tax and Extension of Tax Relief Act of 2006 (Placed on Calendar in Senate)
Beginning
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE, ETC.
Sec. 1. Short title, etc.
TITLE I--REFORM AND EXTENSION OF ESTATE TAX AFTER 2009
SEC. 101. REFORM AND EXTENSION OF ESTATE TAX AFTER 2009.
SEC. 102. UNIFIED CREDIT INCREASED BY UNUSED UNIFIED CREDIT OF DECEASED SPOUSE.
TITLE II--EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF CERTAIN TAX RELIEF PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Extension and Modification of Certain Provisions
SEC. 201. DEDUCTION FOR QUALIFIED TUITION AND RELATED EXPENSES.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT.
SEC. 203. ELECTION TO DEDUCT STATE AND LOCAL GENERAL SALES TAXES.
SEC. 204. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF RESEARCH CREDIT.
SEC. 205. WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT AND WELFARE-TO-WORK CREDIT.
SEC. 206. ELECTION TO INCLUDE COMBAT PAY AS EARNED INCOME FOR PURPOSES OF EARNED INCOME CREDIT.
SEC. 207. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF QUALIFIED ZONE ACADEMY BONDS.
SEC. 208. ABOVE-THE-LINE DEDUCTION FOR CERTAIN EXPENSES OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
SEC. 209. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF EXPENSING OF BROWNFIELDS REMEDIATION COSTS.
SEC. 210. TAX INCENTIVES FOR INVESTMENT IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
SEC. 211. INDIAN EMPLOYMENT TAX CREDIT.
SEC. 212. ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION FOR BUSINESS PROPERTY ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
SEC. 213. FIFTEEN-YEAR STRAIGHT-LINE COST RECOVERY FOR QUALIFIED LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS AND QUALIFIED RESTAURANT PROPERTY.
SEC. 214. COVER OVER OF TAX ON DISTILLED SPIRITS.
SEC. 215. PARITY IN APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LIMITS TO MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS.
SEC. 216. CORPORATE DONATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC PROPERTY USED FOR RESEARCH AND OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT.
SEC. 217. AVAILABILITY OF MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.
SEC. 218. TAXABLE INCOME LIMIT ON PERCENTAGE DEPLETION FOR OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCED FROM MARGINAL PROPERTIES.
SEC. 219. AMERICAN SAMOA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CREDIT.
SEC. 220. RESTRUCTURING OF NEW YORK LIBERTY ZONE TAX CREDITS.
`SEC. 1400L. NEW YORK LIBERTY ZONE TAX CREDITS.
SEC. 221. EXTENSION OF BONUS DEPRECIATION FOR CERTAIN QUALIFIED GULF OPPORTUNITY ZONE PROPERTY.
SEC. 222. AUTHORITY FOR UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS.
SEC. 223. DISCLOSURES OF CERTAIN TAX RETURN INFORMATION.
Subtitle B--Other Provisions
SEC. 231. DEDUCTION ALLOWABLE WITH RESPECT TO INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO DOMESTIC PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES IN PUERTO RICO.
SEC. 232. CREDIT FOR PRIOR YEAR MINIMUM TAX LIABILITY MADE REFUNDABLE AFTER PERIOD OF YEARS.
SEC. 233. RETURNS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH CERTAIN OPTIONS.
SEC. 234. PARTIAL EXPENSING FOR ADVANCED MINE SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
`SEC. 179E. ELECTION TO EXPENSE ADVANCED MINE SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
SEC. 235. MINE RESCUE TEAM TRAINING TAX CREDIT.
`SEC. 45N. MINE RESCUE TEAM TRAINING CREDIT.
SEC. 236. WHISTLEBLOWER REFORMS.
SEC. 237. FRIVOLOUS TAX SUBMISSIONS.
`SEC. 6702. FRIVOLOUS TAX SUBMISSIONS.
SEC. 238. ADDITION OF MENINGOCOCCAL AND HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINES TO LIST OF TAXABLE VACCINES.
SEC. 239. CLARIFICATION OF TAXATION OF CERTAIN SETTLEMENT FUNDS MADE PERMANENT.
SEC. 240. MODIFICATION OF ACTIVE BUSINESS DEFINITION UNDER SECTION 355 MADE PERMANENT.
SEC. 241. REVISION OF STATE VETERANS LIMIT MADE PERMANENT.
SEC. 242. CAPITAL GAINS TREATMENT FOR CERTAIN SELF-CREATED MUSICAL WORKS MADE PERMANENT.
SEC. 243. REDUCTION IN MINIMUM VESSEL TONNAGE WHICH QUALIFIES FOR TONNAGE TAX MADE PERMANENT.
SEC. 244. MODIFICATION OF SPECIAL ARBITRAGE RULE FOR CERTAIN FUNDS MADE PERMANENT.
SEC. 245. GREAT LAKES DOMESTIC SHIPPING TO NOT DISQUALIFY VESSEL FROM TONNAGE TAX.
SEC. 246. USE OF QUALIFIED MORTGAGE BONDS TO FINANCE RESIDENCES FOR VETERANS WITHOUT REGARD TO FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER REQUIREMENT.
SEC. 247. EXCLUSION OF GAIN FROM SALE OF A PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE BY CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY.
SEC. 248. TREATMENT OF COKE AND COKE GAS.
SEC. 249. SALE OF PROPERTY BY JUDICIAL OFFICERS.
SEC. 250. PREMIUMS FOR MORTGAGE INSURANCE.
SEC. 251. MODIFICATION OF REFUNDS FOR KEROSENE USED IN AVIATION.
SEC. 252. DEDUCTION FOR QUALIFIED TIMBER GAIN.
`SEC. 1203. DEDUCTION FOR QUALIFIED TIMBER GAIN.
SEC. 253. CREDIT TO HOLDERS OF RURAL RENAISSANCE BONDS.
`SEC. 54A. CREDIT TO HOLDERS OF RURAL RENAISSANCE BONDS.
SEC. 254. RESTORATION OF DEDUCTION FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES OF SPOUSE, ETC. ACCOMPANYING TAXPAYER ON BUSINESS TRAVEL.
SEC. 255. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
TITLE III--SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2006
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
Subtitle A--MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION
SEC. 311. ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND AND PURPOSES.
SEC. 312. RECLAMATION FEE.
SEC. 313. OBJECTIVES OF FUND.
SEC. 314. RECLAMATION OF RURAL LAND.
SEC. 315. LIENS.
SEC. 316. CERTIFICATION.
SEC. 317. REMINING INCENTIVES.
`SEC. 415. REMINING INCENTIVES.
SEC. 318. EXTENSION OF LIMITATION ON APPLICATION OF PROHIBITION ON ISSUANCE OF PERMIT.
SEC. 319. TRIBAL REGULATION OF SURFACE COAL MINING AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS.
Subtitle B--Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act
SEC. 321. CERTAIN RELATED PERSONS AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST RELIEVED OF LIABILITY IF PREMIUMS PREPAID.
SEC. 322. TRANSFERS TO FUNDS; PREMIUM RELIEF.
SEC. 323. OTHER PROVISIONS.
`SEC. 9721. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT.
TITLE IV--INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE
SEC. 401. MINIMUM WAGE.
SEC. 402. TIPPED WAGE FAIRNESS.
July 31, 2006