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Taxonomy: Term ID

Pork In Perspective

Jun 28, 2006 by Craig Jennings

As President Bush calls on the Senate to pass its version of line-item veto legislation as a means of controlling government spending, it’s important to keep in mind just how much pork barrel spending is in relation to other important budget data points. According to Citizens Against Government Waste, the government spent $23.7 billion on "pork-barrel" spending. No small sum, for sure. But, $23.7 billion is but a fraction (7.5%) of the $317 billion FY2005 federal budget deficit. At less than one percent (0.96%) of the $2.5 trillion the government spent in 2005, it’s barely recognizable.

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Latest Watcher

Jun 28, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Be sure to check out the latest issue of our biweekly newsletter, The Watcher. Reg policy articles this time: Sunset Commission Update: Delay in House, Rush in Senate Overview of Sunset Commission Language in Gregg Bill (S. 3521)

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What Economists Think About Line-Item Veto

Jun 28, 2006 by Craig Jennings

Former Chair of Council of Economic Advisors for George W. Bush Greg Mankiw writes about the line-item veto. In wondering about what economists think of the line-item veto, he quotes two papers published in the August, 1998 Journal of Public Economics:

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Estate Tax Update

Jun 28, 2006 by Craig Jennings

BNA confirms an earlier rumor that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) won’t bring estate tax repeal reduction to a floor vote. The Republican leadership in the Senate couldn’t garner enough votes to end debate on decimating the estate tax - Frist needs 60 votes to bring a vote to the floor. Referring to his intention to raise the issue again Frist said in a statement, "the Senate will vote on a permanent reduction to this tax--a tax that destroys small businesses and family farms."

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Watcher: June 27, 2006

Jun 28, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Measures to Reform Budget Process Move in Congress Back From the Dead: Estate Tax "Reform" Could Move in Senate Congress Drops the Ball on Minimum Wage Again House Passes Half-Hearted Disclosure Bill

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Democratic Leadership Takes Stand on Minimum Wage

Jun 28, 2006 by Craig Jennings

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said yesterday that he would block any pay raise for the Senate until the federal minimum wage is raised. CNN: In arguing for the minimum-wage increase, Democrats are emphasizing that salaries for members of Congress have risen $31,600 during the time the minimum wage has been frozen. They complain that rising costs for gasoline, utilities, education and food have taken a chunk out of minimum-wage paychecks, which sometimes have to support entire families.

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Overview of Sunset Commission Language in Gregg Bill (S. 3521)

A quick look at the sunset commission proposal in title IV, subtitle B of the “Stop Over Spending Act of 2006,” S. 3521, introduced by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and reported out of the Senate Budget Committee. Basic Concept

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Back From the Dead: Estate Tax "Compromise" Could Move in Senate Soon

The House voted last week to approve an estate tax "compromise" that is, in reality, backdoor repeal of the tax. The vote clears the way for another Senate vote on the estate tax, following the Senate's rejection of repeal earlier this month.

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Measures to Reform Budget Process Move in Congress

Both chambers of Congress are moving forward on measures centered around budget process changes, with a focus on giving the president line-item veto authority. The House passed the Legislative Line Item Veto Act (H.R. 4890) 247-172 on Jun. 22, and the Senate Budget Committee reported out a broader budget reform bill on Jun. 21 that included presidential line-item rescission authority. The Senate bill, called the Stop Over Spending Act (S. 3521), also includes:

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House Passes Half-Hearted Disclosure Bill, Alternative Remains Popular in Senate

The House passed legislation last week that would provide for a free, searchable database to disclose information about government grants. H.R. 5060 sponsored by Reps. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Tom Davis (R-VA) passed the House on a voice vote on June 21, under suspension of the rules. The bill does not address disclosure of federal contracts, which accounted for some $339.7 billion in federal spending in 2004 alone.

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Jun 28, 2006 by Craig Jennings

Jun 28, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Jun 28, 2006 by Craig Jennings

Jun 28, 2006 by Craig Jennings

Jun 28, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Jun 28, 2006 by Craig Jennings

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