The U.S. House of Representatives has adopted a resolution calling for a permanent repeal of the estate tax. As part of President George W. Bush's tax cut in 2001, the estate tax was temporarily repealed in a 10-year phaseout. The estate tax is scheduled to resume in 2011. Although the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 8 that permanently repealed the estate tax, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the bill.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) report of cleaning up 42 of the nation's worst toxic sites is down from the 47 reported the previous year. The reason for the difference is that the Superfund program has been faced with funding shortages, according to the EPA. Federal funds went to all but 12 of the 1,238 sites listed as contaminated. Environmentalists have accused the Bush administration of being lax on environmental issues, including funding for the Superfund program.
U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., has said he wants to seek a federal minimum wage increase. The current wage of $5.15 would increase to $6.65 per hour over the next three years. The last time the minimum wage was raised was in 1997. To get a minimum wage increase, a tax cut may be in order. Business groups oppose an increase in minimum wage due to the struggling economy.
According to a survey of 2,000 health plans for 139 markets, employers' health insurance costs will rise 15.4 percent in 2003. Currently the average cost of health care for employers to cover one employee is $5,456. The Hewitt Associates, which conducted the survey, reports the average cost will rise to $6,296 next year.
The American Lung Association (ALA) has released a report, "Air Toxics Benefits from Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Programs in Select U.S. Cities," that illustrates the improved air quality resulting from motor vehicle inspection and maintenance programs.
According to the report, motor vehicle inspection and maintenance programs nationwide are significantly reducing toxic air pollutants that can cause cancer and irritate the respiratory system.
"Cities all across the nation have used inspection and maintenance systems to greatly reduce smog and carbon monoxide. What hasn't really been appreciated is that these tests also reduce large amounts of other toxic air pollutants, some of which cause cancer," said John L. Kirkwood, ALA president and CEO.
Toxic pollutants emitted by cars and trucks can cause upper respiratory problems, asthma, cancer and irritate allergies. The study conducted by the ALA focused on the four most dangerous and prevalent toxic air pollutants. The study examined benzene, which is a known human carcinogen, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and 1,3 butadiene.
The study examined 14 U.S. cities that conduct Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) exams and found that canceling the programs would add 3,105 tons of these four pollutants to the air annually. The cities were chosen because they each had a population of more than 1 million people, high congestion and enhanced I/M programs.
I/M programs are conducted to measure a motor vehicle's emission control system in order to maintain it in proper working condition. Due to poor maintenance and malfunctions, motor vehicle emissions can potentially be very dangerous.
"As pollution levels increase, so do health hazards," said Kirkwood. "Clearly, inspection and maintenance programs are among the most cost-effective ways to protect public health from toxic vehicle emissions."
"We are grateful for the continued support of the American Lung Association for I/M programs. I/M equals clean air and better health for the American public. Our efforts should be to expand I/M programs to larger geographic areas," said Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative.
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AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol. L, December 2002
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Copyright © 2002 Automotive Service Association (ASA). All rights reserved.