Newsline for September 8, 2000

I'M BOB ELLISON. OUR REPORT RUNS 1:10.

HERE IS A SUGGESTED LEAD: THE EFFORT TO ELIMINATE DEATH TAXES WILL CONTINUE DESPITE THE HOUSE'S FAILURE TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENT'S VETO. BOB ELLISON HAS MORE.

ACTUALITIES COME FROM AMERICAN FARM BUREAU GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS SPECIALIST PAT WOLFF. WOLFF IS SPELLED W-O-L-F-F.

THERE ARE TWO EXTRA ACTUALITIES FOLLOWING THE STORY. IN THE FIRST EXTRA ACTUALITY, WOLFF SAYS THERE IS BASIC AGREEMENT ON GETTING RID OF DEATH TAXES BUT DISAGREEMENT ON HOW TO DO IT. IN THE SECOND EXTRA ACTUALITY, WOLFF SAYS MANY FARM FAMILIES DON'T HAVE THE CASH ON HAND TO PAY HIGH ESTATE TAXES.

STAND BY, THE STORY COMES FIRST IN 3...2...1...

(ELLISON) THERE IS STILL A GREAT DEAL OF SUPPORT IN CONGRESS TO GET RID OF THE DEATH TAX. BUT THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU'S PAT WOLFF SAYS THE PROSPECTS OF ELIMINATING THE TAX SOON DON'T LOOK GOOD WITH A SHORT TIME LEFT IN THE CURRENT CONGRESSIONAL SESSION.

(WOLFF) IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL NOT HAVE DEATH TAX REPEAL THIS YEAR. THAT WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT SESSION OF CONGRESS, BUT REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS COULD GET TOGETHER AND TRY TO DO SOME KIND OF INCREMENTAL REFORM.

(ELLISON) WOLFF SAYS MOST OF CONGRESS BELIEVES DEATH TAXES ARE UNFAIR. SHE SAYS THE HARD PART IS AGREEING ON HOW TO GET RID OF THEM.

(WOLFF) WHERE PEOPLE DISAGREE IS ON WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN. WE BELIEVE, FARM BUREAU BELIEVES AND TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE BELIEVE THAT DEATH TAXES SHOULD BE ELIMINATED, GOTTEN RID OF COMPLETELY.

(ELLISON) WOLFF SAYS THE REST OF THE HOUSE AND PRESIDENT CLINTON WANT TARGETED AND INCREMENTAL DEATH TAX RELIEF. SHE SAYS LAWMAKERS NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THE BURDEN OF DEATH TAXES IN NOT ONLY PAYING THEM, BUT GETTING READY FOR THEM.

(WOLFF) THAT'S THE COST OF DEATH TAXES FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS. EVERYONE IS IMPACTED BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO TRY TO AVOID A TAX THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY.

(ELLISON) THE BILL VETOED BY THE PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE PHASED OUT DEATH TAXES OVER TEN YEARS.

BOB ELLISON, WASHINGTON.

STAND BY FOR THE FIRST EXTRA ACTUALITY. THE CUT RUNS EIGHT SECONDS, IN 3...2...1...

(WOLFF) THE OTHER SIDE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT. THEY BELIEVE WE NEED DEATH TAX RELIEF BUT THAT WE SHOULD STOP SHORT OF ELIMINATION.

(ELLISON) STAND BY FOR THE SECOND EXTRA ACTUALITY. THE CUT RUNS FOURTEEN SECONDS, IN 3...2...1...

(WOLFF) FARMERS DON'T HAVE LIQUID ASSETS TO PAY FOR IT. THEY CAN'T GO SELL SOME STOCK OR CASH IN A C-D. THEY HAVE TO SELL PARTS OF THEIR BUSINESS. THAT'S WHY THIS TAX HURTS FARMERS MORE THAN OTHER PEOPLE.

(ELLISON) THE FARM BUREAU RADIO NEWSLINE IS UPDATED EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AT 5 P.M. EASTERN TIME. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.