Congressman John Shadegg

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Your source for the issues facing our community, the Congress, and the Nation

May 19, 2000

Shadegg fights for fiscal discipline -- passes amendment to hold down spending

Last week, despite the opposition of fiscal conservatives, the U.S. House of Representatives passed broad land conservation legislation, H.R. 701, the Conservation And Reinvestment Act (CARA). The bill authorizes mandatory spending of more than $42 billion over 15 years that will enable federal and state governments and special interest groups to purchase land for wildlife protection, urban recreation, and other “conservation” needs. Because it would create a significant new source of revenue for the states it is not surprising the CARA passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. However, in return for the funds there is much the federal government wants to control, and its demands could seriously undermine the freedom of state and local communities to make their own land use decisions in the future. Click here to learn more about CARA and the Shadegg amendment

Shadegg, Conservatives face battle over the budget

[piggy bank]

Over the next few months Congress will vote on thirteen bills which determine the federal government spending commitments for next year. The appropriations process, as it is called, typically turns into a partisan fight between Republicans who want to limit government spending and Democrats who want to expand the federal government’s size and scope. This year will be no different. Click here to follow the fight

Is the government taxing you to talk?

What do your monthly phone bill and the Spanish-American War have in common? The answer may surprise you. In 1898, in order to help pay for the Spanish-American War, Congress enacted a “temporary” tax that’s still on your phone bill. It was considered a “luxury tax” at the time, on an item that few Americans owned – the telephone. It was a penny tax on long-distance phone calls costing more than 15 cents. Click here to see what Congress is doing about the telephone tax

Shadegg in the news.
Click here to see selected news stories about Congressman Shadegg.

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