July 6,
2000 Volume 6, Issue 27
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Senate May Consider Gas Tax Repeal Bill the Week of
July 10
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) stated that he
would like the Senate to consider a bill to repeal/suspend the
18.4-cent federal gas tax and 24.4-cent diesel tax when the
Senate returns from the July 4th recess on July 10. Although
it is unclear which bill they would consider (several have
been introduced), the options range from a repeal/suspension
through Labor Day, to a repeal/suspension through March 31,
2001. AGC is working to defeat any efforts to repeal or
suspend the motor fuels tax. However, AGC is advocating that
Senators consider Senator Murkowski's bill, S.2799 the
"Emergency Fuel Tax Act of 2000." This bill would allow
individuals and companies to deduct on their income tax
statements next year the cost of all gasoline taxes they pay
between July 1 and December 31, 2000. This legislation would
guarantee that motorists receive relief from high gas prices.
Moreover, the bill would ensure that the funding in the
Highway Trust Fund remains intact and consistent with TEA-21.
It is imperative that AGC members contact their Senators and
Representative NOW! AGC led the effort to defeat similar
initiatives in April. If we are to win again, AGC Members need
to inundate Congress with calls, letters, faxes, and e-mails -
letting them know that funding for state highway and transit
programs will be jeopardized along with your businesses if the
motor fuels tax is repealed. You can reach your Senators and
Representative through the Capitol Hill switchboard,
202-224-3121.
House will Consider American Community
Renewal Act Soon: House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX),
House Conference Chairman J.C. Watts (R-OK), Rep. Danny Davis
(D-IL) and Small Business Committee Chairman Jim Talent (R-MO)
announced today that a major city revitalization bill would be
marked up next week. A Ways and Means committee mark-up will
hasten consideration of the American Community Renewal Act by
the full House. The Majority Leader emphasized that the
historic compromise with the White House, achieved last month,
has cleared all major hurdles for a bill that Watts, Talent
and Davis have been working on for more than five years. The
bill, closely watched by contractors, will be combined with
the previously passed "New Markets Act" creating 40 Renewal
Communities with targeted, pro-growth tax benefits, regulatory
relief, savings accounts, brownfields clean-up, and
home-ownership opportunities. At least 20 percent of the
communities identified must be located in rural areas.
Communities must apply for renewal community status, which
requires high poverty rates and a local commitment to reduce
local regulations, zoning restrictions and tax rates. The
Renewal Communities would receive a combination of tax,
regulatory, and other targeted programs. The tax benefits of
Renewal Communities would address the principal hurdles facing
small businesses when they are just getting started-raising
capital and maintaining cash flow. "This legislation is unique
because it would provide communities with the tools to help
reinvigorate their neighborhoods", said House Small Business
Committee Chairman Talent. "With this agreement we are closer
than ever to passing legislation that will make a real
difference in these communities."
Death Tax Elimination
Vote Next Week in the Senate: AGC expects votes next week in
the Senate on H.R. 8, the Death Tax Elimination Act. As early
as Tuesday, there may be several procedural votes to "invoke
cloture" (to stop a filibuster) on H.R. 8. 60 votes are needed
to invoke cloture. There is also an effort underway between
the Republican and Democrat leaders to reach a unanimous
consent agreement for consideration of H.R. 8 and thus do away
with any cloture votes. Right now, the support of the
following Senators is critical for passage of H.R. 8: Bob
Kerrey (D-NE), John Breaux (D-LA), Chuck Robb (D-VA), Blanche
Lincoln (D-AR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Max
Cleland (D-GA), Evan Bayh (D-IN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Robert
Torricelli (D-NJ), George Voinovich (R-OH), Lincoln Chafee
(R-RI), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Jim Jeffords (R-VT), Ted Stevens
(R-AK). If your Senator is listed, please make every effort to
write or call and ask for their support of H.R. 8. For sample
letters and more information, go to Hot Topics section of
www.agc.org or call Phil Thoden with AGC Congressional
Relations at 703-837-5364.
Managed Care Reform
Battles in the Senate: Before adjourning for the 4th of July
recess, Senators again battled over managed care reform
legislation. Democrats offered an amendment to unrelated
legislation requiring that any managed care bill passed by the
Senate cover all privately insured Americans. Legislation
previously passed by the Senate would only cover patients in
self-insured plans. Senator Don Nickles (R-OK) responded by
offering a Republican backed amendment allowing a limited
right to sue HMOs but only after an independent appeals
process is completed, among other provisions. The Nickles
amendment passed while the Democrat measure was defeated, both
by a vote of 51-47.
Utilize
Congress at
Your Fingertips Located in the Member’s Only Section at http://www.agc.org/ to contact
your Congressional Representatives.
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