Wednesday, February 7, 2007
This Morning,
This
morning SENATE REVENUE AND TAXATION
(W 130 ) is considering SB 223, an income tax cut of some $69 million for
taxpayers who choose to use the flat rate.
The current rate of 5.35 % would
be lowered to 5%, and tax credits could be claimed based on either filing
status or itemized deductions plus personal exemptions. The amount of those credits would be phased
out as income increased and they would be indexed for inflation.
SENATE GOVERNMENT
OPERATIONS/POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (W020) will
discuss SB 211, which would eliminate satellite voter registration. Satellite registration is offered 15 and 18
days before an election. Without it, the
last day to register would be 30 days before the election.
HB
148, Education Vouchers, is up for more debate.
This afternoon the proposal to use taxpayer dollars for scholarships to
private schools will be heard in the SENATE
EDUCATION COMMITTEE between 2 and 4 p.m.
HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
(W010) will discuss HB 178, a lobbyist gift ban. Registered lobbyists, their
employers, and government officers could not offer or give a gift valued at
more than $5 to any public official or member of the official's immediate
family.
Also
before the committee is HB 346, a plan to elect the President and Vice
President by national popular vote.
States would agree to cast their votes in the Electoral College for the
presidential slate that got the highest popular vote across all the states who
had signed on to the agreement. The agreement
wouldn't go into effect until enough states joined to represent a majority of
electoral votes nationwide. Polls show
that 70% of the public prefer electing the president by popular vote.
SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES (in W020 at 2) will debate Senate
Concurrent Resolution 6, urging Congress to pass the "States' Right to
Innovate in Health Care Act."
Currently, federal laws and budgets limit states' control over health
policy and reforms.
The
committee will also consider Senate Joint Resolution 4, a constitutional
amendment establishing a right to basic, affordable health care for every
Sandy Peck
League
of Women Voters,
801.272-8683 fax 801.272-5942
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