So desperate, they don't even read their own reports

"For a single parent with two kids and an income of $20,000, that difference is even more pronounced. The jump is 8 percent (in after-tax income) under the Dem plan, and only 4.4 percent under the GOP one."

RNC Accidentally Highlights Study That Proves Dems' Tax Cut Plan Is More Generous

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/08...

One of the promises made in the GOP's "Pledge to America" is that the party will make all legislation available for three days so that legislators can read it for clarity. One can hardly blame them for seeking to confront their own shortcomings! Perhaps they can take that promise further, and actually promise to read the studies that they circulate to the media, especially the ones that actually undermine their professed policies. This is just an idea I had!

See, yesterday morning, the Republican National Committee really wanted to stick it to Democratic legislators for that time they totally punted on holding a vote on the future of the Bush-era tax cuts. And so, they armed themselves with a shiny new study from the Tax Foundation that they thought really aided their criticism. "What excuse will the Democrats use now?"

Hey, who knows the answer to that question, right? Nevertheless, as Greg Sargent pointed out, the RNC really miscalculated:

As it happens, the study compared the actual Dem plan with the GOP one. And it found that for a family of four with an income of $40,000, the Dem plan -- continuing the low end tax cuts, plus the stimulus measures -- would cause a 7.8 percent jump in after-tax income. That jump would only be 6.8 percent under the GOP plan to continue all the Bush tax cuts.

For a single parent with two kids and an income of $20,000, that difference is even more pronounced. The jump is 8 percent under the Dem plan, and only 4.4 percent under the GOP one.

In fairness to the RNC, the study is good for the GOP in one sense. It confirms that the Bush tax cuts were helpful to the poor, despite popular belief that they only helped the rich. But the author of the study, Nick Kasprak, confirms that this finding isn't directly relevant to what Dems have proposed.

"Our study shows that the Bush tax cuts helped the poor a lot more than the popular perception, so the RNC is right to send it around for that reason," Kasprak tells me. "But the study also shows that the Congressional Democrats' plan is more generous to the poor, because it extends certain stimulus provisions into 2011, which the Republican plan does not. That isn't what the RNC wants to show."

Guess they really, really should have read that study, all the way to the end. But now you know whose tax cut plans are more generous to ordinary Americans.

Don't let facts get in the way of your opinion....

"Obama is raising our taxes!"  I'm hearing versions of this wailing and moaning over and over again, every where I go anymore.  Sometimes they add "PelosiRied" (because it's one word to them) and even multiple expletives as well.

And what do they have to base their complaints on?  Nothing... just rumors and propaganda and regurgitation of what they hear from their friends on Fox News.

So, what is going on with our taxes?

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, our federal taxes for the middle-class are at historically low levels.   Simply put, Americans are paying LOWER TAXES, not higher.

In addition, the stimulus package that has all of their panties in a twist is also responsible for CUTTING our taxes and CREATING jobs.

But let's not confuse these folks with facts... they are quite comfortable in their swampy pools of hate, fear, and ignorance... and refuse to budge.  They will continue to spread their toxic venom across the internet and throughout our communities...

If you are offended by what I'm saying, then ask yourself:  Did you read the articles above with an open mind?  Can you find an OBJECTIVE source which disputes those facts?  If the answers are "no", then you are part of the problem.  You have planted yourself in your position and are too stubborn to open your mind to perhaps, just PERHAPS, you are WRONG.

And it's attitudes like that which are destroying our country...

Larry Craig: The Man With The Miracle Cure

Larry Craig has always known what really is causing America's economic woes...

The war in Iraq? Nope.
The lack of jobs which pay a living wage? Nope.
Increased cost of health care and related bankrupticies? Nope.
Credit companies sucking the blood out of struggling Americans? Nope.
Corporate CEOs who rape the retirement funds of their employees? Nope.
The increased cost of gas? food? utilities? Nope. Nope. Nope.

It's ALWAYS been the housing market.

And Larry boy has always known that. He's so smart! And polite too! He didn't want to be rude and point out the obvious a few months ago... it would have embarrassed the Republican presidential nominees who all claimed that our economy was doing SO well! He didn't want to point it out last year... or the year before...

But now it is the right time for Larry Craig to not only explain to America what the real problem is but to also offer the miracle solution!

Are you ready?

No, no, he doesn't support the economic stimulus bill that the House and Senate passed February 7 because it did not address the housing problem.

He also opposed the bill because he felt that it was "fiscally irresponsible to increase our budget deficit by $150 billion just to give everyone a few hundred extra bucks to spend."

Fiscally irresponsible?! I didn't realize he even knew what those words MEANT!! (I happen to agree with him... as much as I will appreciate the money to catch up on our outstanding bills, I know we'll be paying for it later.)

No, Larry's magic potion consists of providing a $5,000 tax credit "to buy homes sitting on the market".

That will not help those who are losing their homes right now... or are behind on their payments.

That will not help the folks who are struggling to pay rent.

That will not help the families living in substandard housing.

That will not help the families who use their full paychecks to pay for gas, food, and medical bills.

That will not help the families whose credit is already so damaged due to wages that can't keep up with the cost of living that they would never be able be approved for a loan.

That will not help the families who haven't even been able to set aside money for a down payment (they put it in their kids' college fund instead... ha ha ha!).

So... who does this help?

• The banks... who have foreclosed on many homes.
• The people who want to sell their $200,000 home to buy a $300,000 home.
• The developers who got greedy and built more homes than the market could absorb.
• The families who need to sell their $200,000 home so they can move into a $100,000 home because they can no longer afford to pay for their $200,000 home.
• The wealthy who need a second/third/fourth vacation home, and another tax break like I need another dog.

What does Larry see that I'm missing???


Larry closes with this:
"It may help some, but it won't be enough. I believe that because Congress didn't address the housing market this time around, we will be back in a few months doing this again. Next time, I hope Congress gets it right."

Why do I feel like throwing up?

Check out his E-Newsletter... and don't forget to answer his survey question:

Would you or someone you know use

a $5,000 tax credit to purchase a home this year?

Personally, just about everyone I know would is struggling to hold on to the house they already have...own or rent.

Rep. Jaquet: Food Tax Update

I am writing to update you on the situation that is surrounding the issue of food tax credits that is again before the legislature this session. Today proved to be an interesting meeting of the House Revenue and Taxation committee as the controversial issue of food tax credit was brought to the table. The bill under consideration today was that of HB 0439. This bill proposes an addition to existing law to provide for income tax credits or refunds for certain resident individuals to offset the cost of sales tax on food.

This legislation addresses the inadequacies of the current law by incrementally increasing this "Food Tax Credit" starting with an increase to $55 for the poorest Idahoans, $30 for all other Idahoans, and an additional $20 for seniors for tax year 2008.

However, the majority of the committee believe that this issue is better accomplished by a repeal of the tax on food, a basic necessity. After numerous testimonials from members of the community and representatives from various churches and organizations it was decided by the committee that the bill, HB 0439 will be held in committee until other options have been brought forth and considered.

One such potential bill is being brought forward by one of our Democratic Representatives, James Ruchti. Our Food Tax Elimination Act proposes an elimination of the 6% sales tax on food by a reduction of 1% per year for six years. Not only does this provide a fiscally responsible and feasible approach to this necessary repeal, but it also has a greater positive impact for those Idaho citizens who are not eligible to receive a refund under the current grocery tax program. In addition to our bill, there are others that will be brought forward for consideration, and I will continue to keep you up to date with the developments surrounding this crucial issue.

Please be sure to keep in touch if you have any questions or concerns about this issue. I can be reached at wjaquet@house.idaho.gov or 800/626-0471. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Rep. Jaquet: Legislative Report Week 5

What a hectic week. Friday was the last day to get bills submitted to afternoon committees. Combine that with the County Winter Conference which featured a speech from Speaker Newt Gingrich, a trip home to vote in the caucus, a presentation to the credit union association, a luncheon with the FFA students and a phone that was drowned by a leaky water bottle and now I’m hoping the roads are open to Ketchum to make it home this weekend.

I’ve had some ups and downs with legislation:

The counties approved, in concept, large generation facility siting legislation. The legislation applies only to merchant plants and creates the opportunity for informed decision making at the local level. This next week I’ll be presenting the concept/draft to the cooperative and municipal utilities that are exempt as are the investor owned utilities.

An attempt at introducing a bill to require renewal portfolio standards at 25% by 2025 will not get a hearing this year.

Affordable workforce home legislation has been dropped off with the House Revenue and Taxation Committee for introduction in the near future. The bills include adding affordable workforce housing as an eligible use for development impact fees, requiring developers to ensure the development of workforce housing or pay a fee in lieu of development, a voter approved proposed tax levy to home owners whose home is valued at $1 million plus and who don’t qualify for the homeowners exemption, and an expansion of county local option sales tax to include affordable workforce housing.

The residential sales price disclosure legislation that was drafted and introduced last year was re-introduced this week in the senate. The hearing should be within a week. A second piece of legislation brought by the Idaho Association of Realtors also addresses this situation in a different way. I would appreciate your comments on both of these. You can find them at www.legislature.idaho.gov, under the Legislation link. The bill numbers are SB1400 and SB1401.

Senator Langhorst re-introduced last year’s legislation to abolish the one mile restriction on who may testify in confined animal feeding operations public hearings. The goal is to get the bill through the House this year. I also have drafted a bill that would provide for mediation between cities and/or counties who have concerns about decisions that cross boundaries.

The grocery tax credit was defeated in committee this week. We’re hoping that a bipartisan solution to decreasing the sales tax on food at the cash register will come forth. Legislators are also working on a new credit bill.

A bill to allow highway districts to increase their levies with a vote of the people is before the House Revenue and Taxation committee. Revenues were frozen many years ago at an artificially low rate and districts are having a hard time keeping up with inflationary costs. The Emergency Communications Commission has asked for a 25 cent increase per month on phones to a maximum of $1.25 to provide grant funding for rural communities who don’t have the population to support the Enhanced 911 systems as well as the ongoing maintenance costs of those systems.

Also introduced for hearing is the Ranch, Farm and Forest Protection Act which would give a tax credit to owners of agricultural and forest land who voluntarily agree not to develop lands important to fish and wildlife. I am supporting all of these bills.

The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) are scheduled to finish up state agency budget hearings on Wednesday, February 13. Budget setting will start on Monday, February 18 and should finish around March 7. Revenues have begun to slide due to the national recession (most now say we are in a recession!) and we’re anticipating some tough decision making.

Thank you for keeping in touch with me. Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Email: wjaquet@house.idaho.gov or Phone: 1/800/626-0471

Rep. Pence: Legislative Report Week 5

What a week for Democrats!! The Obama rally Saturday was inspiring and then being able to drive back to Gooding for the Democrat Caucus last Tuesday was frosting on the cake. It was great visiting with everyone and listening to politics served up grassroots-style. Gooding County about doubled their last caucus numbers. Also heard great reports from the rest of the District 25 caucuses.

Bad news appeared on the economic scene. Tax receipts are down $35 million for January. If this trend continues, it will not bode well for agency budgets and establishment or continuation of programs. Bare bones budgets are hard on all concerned.

This is the last week for Routing Slips (RS) to be introduced in our afternoon committees (for me Agriculture and Natural Resources). Not only am I listening to 5-8 new concepts being introduced each committee, but was also tying up loose ends and generating support for an RS with Rep. Eskridge dealing with the operation and use of state outdoor sport shooting ranges. It establishes a uniform noise standard for these ranges and offers them grandfather protections from nuisance actions resulting from new housing moving in around them. There is great support state wide from sportsmen and it will be heard Monday.

No concrete information on a teacher pay plan. There is the possibility that the category 4 contract (the one requiring teachers to give up continuing contract) will be dropped as part of the pay plan. Still some movement to better train administrators to evaluate teachers and to supervise improvement plans designed to help a teacher become more proficient. There is a still a lot of support for concurrent enrollment in our high schools. This would allow students to take classes which qualify for both high school credit and college credit at the same time. This would enable students in some cases to graduate from high school with enough credits for an AA degree. College of Southern Idaho is working hard to develop classes available in the Magic Valley. A longitudinal data system which would enable instant access to individual records by authorized individuals looks to be a go. If a student were to move to Gooding from Sandpoint, this system would enable a teacher to instantly access records and put that student in classes at his or her proper level. There will be many other educational uses for this type of statewide data system.

Are you aware of the Department of Corrections has the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) program? This is a free, automated hotline that provides crime victims with vital information and notification 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. This service will allow you to obtain offender information and to register for notification of a change in offender status, such as offender release. This program offers peace of mind to victims of crime and does protect the public. Visit the Idaho VINE hotline at 1-866-9VINE-ID or visit http://www.vinelink.com/.

The Lincoln, Camas, Blaine and Gooding County elected officials were in Boise this week. It was great to talk with all of you. Thanks for the work you do and for the great ideas you come up with for making Idaho such a great place to live.

If you are in town, drop in and personally give me your opinions. Otherwise phone me at 1-208-332-1271, e-mail at dpence@house.idaho.gov, or write P.O. Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-0038

Rep. Pence: Legislative Report Week 4

The week began with the news of Senator Stennett’s impending surgery. I am thankful that he was up and moving around quickly and was released Thursday. He will be in all our prayers as he continues his treatments in pursuit of recovery.

The Senate Education committee was scheduled to take up the iStars and We Teach Bills last Wednesday, but action was postponed. It appears neither of these concepts have enough approval to make it through committee. There is an effort to salvage the concept of rewarding effective teachers with additional pay. This may take the form of fewer steps or reduced amounts for each step. With tax income falling below expectations, legislators are wary of ongoing commitments of this magnitude. Any bill which ties relinquishing a continuing contract to eligibility to receive a step up the career ladder, will not get my vote.

One of the results of this summer’s Interim Water Resources Committee is H404. It asks for $20 million over ten years to develop aquifer planning and management throughout Idaho. These funds will be used to provide technical studies, facilitation services, hydrologic monitoring, and for the development of measurement and comprehensive plans for these aquifers. Water is becoming a valuable commodity and the need for comprehensive plans aimed at achieving aquifer sustainability is a necessary long-term goal. These plans will also provide data which will help to protect Idaho’s water as we confer with Washington officials over cross boarder water issues near Coeur d’ Alene.

Speaking of water, what about the snow this week? I trust it extended to the east as well. If so, it would go a long way in easing the anxiety over those pending shut down orders on irrigation wells all along the Snake River Aquifer.

The State Board of Education recently released a 113-page report concerning Medical Education in Idaho. This preliminary study was contracted to MGT of America. This report documented that a significant need for more physicians exists in Idaho. In addition the following results were noted:
· Access to physicians by the general population is extremely limited.
· Many of Idaho’s physicians are 55 or older and nearing retirement.
· Idaho’s population base is sufficient to support the clinical part of medical education.
· There are a number of highly qualified Idaho students seeking medical education.
· Idaho is dead last among states in the number of seats available in medical education.
· Less populated states have supported medical schools for years.
· Healthcare is an important component in the national economy, but much less so in Idaho.
· Idaho’s limited investment in medical education makes us ill-prepared to compete for a share of the rapidly expanding biomedical industry.

As a result of this report, the following four alternatives for medical education were identified.
· Create a new university–operated medical school on the distributive model. Sixty - one hundred students could be enrolled per class. Students take introductory courses on the university campus for two years and complete two years clinical training at several sites across the state (lead to a M.D. or equivalent degree)
· Expand the package of contract programs with medical schools in other states. (University of Washington and University of Utah, Others?)
· Develop a new joint medical school from current medical education resources. This approach would draw from the medical education resources of the three state universities.
· Expand graduate medical education (residency) programs in the state.

The Board spokesman, Mark Browning, emphasized that a cost benefit analysis of the data will be forth coming and will be important in any decision. A Medical Education Study Committee has been formed and will be meeting from March through May. Included in their proposed activities are public meetings at five sites around the state in April. Twin Falls is one of the sites and would be a good place to voice your opinions.

Recommendations from the committee are scheduled at the June Board Meeting. If you want to look more closely at the report, it is available through the Office of the State Board of Education [click here].

If you are in town, drop in and personally give me your opinions.

Otherwise, phone me at 1-208-332-1271, e-mail at dpence@house.idaho.gov, or write P.O. Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-0038

Rep. Jaquet: Legislative Report Week 4

Thank you to so many of you who have touched base to check on Senator Clint Stennett. Clint is recuperating from his surgery at his Boise rental house and is planning to come back to work shortly. He gets to look forward to chemo/radiation, but he’s a tough guy and we know that he’ll be setting records for his recovery!

I’m hoping to see many of you at the Senator Barack Obama Rally on Saturday, February 2. The doors open at 7:00 am and I’m intending to be there between 7 and 7:30. I believe that Obama is our best chance for change. He has ignited young and old people around his candidacy. He represents a transformation regarding business as usual in Washington DC. I’m planning on attending my caucus in Blaine County, Tuesday, February 5. I’m carpooling with Jon Thorson, who is sitting in for Clint, and with Commissioners Schoen and Bowman who will be in Boise for a County conference.

Food tax: The Republicans introduced a complicated expansion of the grocery tax credit this week. I’m hoping that the Chairman of the Rev and Tax committee will allow us to introduce our bill which takes the sales tax off food over a six year period. There is also a Republican bill which has a similar approach. It’s so much easier to do it at the cash register!

School construction bond subsidy access: Several years ago a safe schools bond program was developed which was utilized by seven school districts including Wendell. Wendell had tried to pass a bond for a new middle school. Their old school had been condemned. The second time around with the subsidy it was successful. Now, Wendell would like to present a new request for voter consideration which includes an agriculture/technology and athletic expansion. We discovered that Wendell, because they had taken advantage of the first program, would not be able to access the new program which all districts now had the benefit of. Today I’m presenting legislation which will open this back up to the 7 districts including Wendell. The chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee has asked to be a co-sponsor.

Energy Efficient State Energy Act: This week in the House Environment Affairs committee this bipartisan bill passed out of committee and it will now go to the House floor for a vote. The bill will require all major state buildings, and building renovations, to be designed, constructed and certified to a standard that achieves energy savings at least 30% greater than the current state approved energy code. I support this bill.

Next Monday is the deadline for draft requests for new legislation. That puts pressure on us to get our bills drafted, reviewed and into the committee chairs. Bills that are not drafted by then don’t have much of a chance to get across to the Senate for approval. I’m scrambling.

Good to hear from so many of you this week. It is always good to have the Representatives from the Association of Idaho Cities.

Let me hear from you: Phone: 1-800-626- 0471 email: wjaquet@house.idaho.gov

Pennies from heaven...?

I don't quite understand this... the President will be sending Americans a check to help stimulate the economy? This accomplishes what...? How?

If my household receives any money, we'll be using it to catch up on bills... I guess that's stimulating the economy...?

How will YOU stimulate the economy with your gift from Dubya?

Winning the war? At what cost?

In a casual conversation the other day, a very sweet but very conservative gentleman commented that America needed to "win the war".

First of all, can someone tell me what we "win"? Is there a prize, a trophy, a ribbon that I don't know about?

Or is this about ego? Is this like the man who refuses to ask directions-- because he refuses to admit he's lost?

Are we banging our heads against the wall... in order to demolish the building... in order to say we cleared the lot for a new structure? What good is it to have a new structure after we've bashed our brains in for twenty years trying to remove the wall?

Just think, if the taxpayers in my congressional district (2-Rep. Mike Simpson) didn't spend our $206.6 million that we are instead spending on the Iraq War in FY2008, our district would be able to provide...

• 56,247 Idahoans with Health Care OR
• 171,088 Homes with Renewable Electricity OR
• 5,088 Public Safety Officers OR
• 3,920 Music and Arts Teachers OR
• 52,071 Scholarships for University Students OR
• 22 New Elementary Schools OR
• 1,903 Affordable Housing Units OR
• 131,142 Children with Health Care OR
• 23,974 Head Start Places for Children OR
• 3,920 Elementary School Teachers

This is our money... used for the war in Iraq. I guess Idaho doesn't have residents needing health care, children needing teachers or schools, young people needing help with tuition, or families needing affordable housing.

So... tell me... who's winning what here? And who is really paying for it?

First graders working 40-hour weeks...

Yeah, it's a stretch but think about it... think about how much debt we are giving our children and grandchildren. Doesn't it make you sick? Aren't we a product of a generation who tried to make our lives better and richer? And here we are... putting our children in debt before they even enter junior high.

Find out more by reading about Bush's favorite tax - The Birth Tax:

How is the overspending by the Bush administration any different than recklessly using a credit card?

Simple, with a credit card you have a spending limit, monthly payments and you can't pass the debt on to your grandchildren.

The debt of today will be passed on to the unborn generations to come. We have, in essence, a Tax the Children Plan.

How much do new babies owe the Federal government? American children are born into our society already owing the government tens of thousands of dollars.

Find out MUCH more at Birth Tax.