Taking The Hill

by Christy Plunkett

Bush Promotes Clean Air Plans

President George W. Bush says he intends to give more federal money to states to help carry out their own clean air plans. He discussed his plans for the Clear Skies initiative. The plan would mandate reductions from power plant emissions - including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury - but not carbon dioxide. U.S. Sens. Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.) and Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) both criticized the president's plan because they believe it does not significantly reduce harmful emissions and provide for cleaner air. U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce's Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee, says he is awaiting direction from the White House about how to proceed with the president's clean air plans.

Bill Would Increase Expensing Limits for Small Business' New Equipment

U.S. Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee, has introduced H.R. 4087, the Small Business Investment and Growth Act. The bill would increase expensing limits for new equipment. Currently the law allows for businesses with up to $200,000 in new investments to immediately expense the first $25,000. H.R. 4087 will increase the amounts to up to $400,000 in new investments and allow for immediate expensing of the first $40,000. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Small Business Committee.

Ergonomics: The Debate Goes On

The ergonomics debate is still being heard on Capitol Hill as U.S. Sens. John Breaux (D-La.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) introduce S. 2184. The bill will force the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to develop mandatory workplace rules. The DOL and the Bush administration announced in April they were setting voluntary standards to encourage companies to develop safety measures in the workplace to avoid repetitive stress injuries.

Lawsuit Files Against Mexican Trucking

A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of labor and environmental groups in a U.S. District Court in San Francisco against the U.S. Department of Transportation. The plaintiffs - the U.S Teamsters, Public Citizen and California Gov. Gray Davis (D) - contend if trucks are allowed in from Mexico, smog would increase in California and the other border states. Groups supporting the passage of Mexican trucks into the United States say the new rules will save money and increase business.

Senator Vows to Make Tax Cut Permanent

U.S. Sen. Don Nickles (R-Okla.), Senate minority whip, wants to attach an amendment to other tax-related bills that could go to the Senate floor before the end of the session to make President George W. Bush's tax cuts permanent. However, Republicans admit it could be costly. Making the tax cuts permanent could cost $400 billion in the next 10 years and up to $4 trillion over the next 20 years. The tax cuts set to expire in 2011 include rate reductions, estate tax, child credit increase, retirement savings increases, education savings and adoption tax credit.

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