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Thursday, August 10, 2006
Business Groups Mull New Anti-Estate Tax Strategy
Ugh. National Journal's CongressDaily (subscription required) reports today that anti-estate tax coalitions are regrouping for a massive grassroots push during Congress's August recess. An unnamed source identified about a dozen Democrats who the coalition may target, including:
- Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inoye of Hawaii
- Sens. Maria cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington
- Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas
- Sen. Max Baucus of Montana
- Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan
- Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia
- Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota
- Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado
Oddly, the list includes two Senators who favor the "trifecta" bill -Byrd and Baucus- and neither of the two Republicans who oppose it.
The business coalitions may use several strategies.
Business lobbyists are mulling an effort to change a provision in the legislation that could nullify state laws that exclude tips from the calculation of whether employers are paying the minimum wage. Lobbyists are specifically hoping to mollify Cantwell, whose state has such a law. She mentioned the issue in her statement opposing the trifecta legislation, saying "it cuts salaries for Washington state's minimum wage tip workers." The hope is that if Cantwell switches, Murray and other senators might follow suit. Business sources talked about changing the provision and running the legislation through the House again, or seeking a commitment from Frist, House Speaker Hastert and President Bush to change the measure down the road.
As Sen. Frist made clear, the fight over the estate tax is far from over. Keep visiting the BudgetBlog for more information.
Congress Daily: Biz Groups Planning August Grassroots Effort On Taxes
Posted by Matt Lewis
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