A new tax deal reached by Senate leaders includes several major provisions sought by Northwest lawmakers, not the least of which is an extension of a multiyear program that pays rural counties hurt by federal logging cutbacks.
Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, says the timber payments, which compensate counties stung by dropping timber sales on federal land, would run through 2011.
US Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) comments
The bill also would allow Washington state residents to continue deducting state sales taxes on their federal income tax returns, and extends billions of dollars in tax credits for renewable energy. Washington is one of at least eight states without an income tax where taxpayers faced the possibility that they could lose the ability to deduct state or local sales taxes from their federal returns.
The agreement would also extend targeted tax breaks for a variety of causes, including college tuition, state and local sales taxes and research and development for U S businesses.
The Senate is expected to vote on the tax bill later this week. If approved, the legislation would go to the House. (AP)
Idaho Rep. Bill Sali is urging Idahoans to send their ideas on energy issues as well as their fuel receipts to his offices so that he can forward them to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Sali says he wants to illustrate for Pelosi the hardship that high gas prices are having everyday in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District.
US Rep Bill Sali (R-Idaho) comments
Sali continues to emphasize the need to boost American energy exploration and production.
Bill Sali continues
Idahoans who want their gas receipts forwarded to Speaker Pelosi can send them to Sali’s offices in Lewiston, Boise, Caldwell, Coeur d’Alene and Washington, D.C.
U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has announced a new effort to give Idahoans a direct voice in how to resolve problems related to high gasoline, diesel and energy prices.
The Idaho Republican says Congress needs the input of Idahoans, and Americans in general, to help draft legislation that may solve issues related to high energy costs, and he is using his official website to let Idahoans share their stories.
As a member of the Senate Renewable and Energy Efficiency Caucus, Crapo is already committed to conservation measures along with the increased utilization of domestic energy sources, nuclear power, renewables and alternatives. But he says Congress must come together on a legislative fix, and that’s where public input comes in.
U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) comments
Crapo is asking Idahoans to take a few minutes to send him an e-mail at energy_prices@crapo.senate.gov with a paragraph or two about how they and family members are affected by high energy prices. Those writing are also invited to share the priorities that they think Congress should set in resolving the crisis, and/or any additional information.
