devil21
09-26-2008, 02:12 AM
The nerve of that guy Ron Paul to vote against government provided aid money and to instead suggest tax cuts so they keep their own money! :rolleyes: I read an online article last night lambasting Dr. Paul for voting against the aid bill. And as usual, Dr. Paul responds with a common sense answer based in conservative ideals.
http://www.thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=a937db1fa1fa0682
Ron Paul co-sponsors tax break measure
By John Tompkins
The Facts
Published September 26, 2008
The federal government and local officials are trying to ramp up assistance by providing tax relief, grants and other financial help to those whose homes suffered damage from Hurricane Ike.
A bill co-sponsored by Congressman Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, and passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday night would allow several types of tax breaks for Ike victims, including write-offs for disaster-related expenses and deductions for losses.
Paul voted against another measure that provides assistance for hurricane victims, however, despite Hurricane Ike having inflicted heavy damage on parts of Paul’s district, including Galveston and Surfside Beach, where the lawmaker for years has owned property.
A provision in the $630 billion omnibus spending bill approved by the House would bring $23 billion in emergency spending for areas that suffered a disaster like Hurricane Ike. Paul voted against that bill because he does not support government borrowing without balancing spending cuts, spokesman Jesse Benton said.
“He supports a bill that gives a series of tax credits for individuals and businesses,” Benton said. “What the people of Texas really need is to keep more of their own money and get the government out of the way.”
He also would not support the spending bill because, part of that funding would be given to an inefficient agency like FEMA which is “not operating like clockwork,” Benton said.
“A lot of it is bad spending to go along with a chunk of money that would have been given to FEMA,” Benton said of the spending bill.
Paul voted against similar aid packages for hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005 and traditionally votes against budget bills that do not contain balancing spending cuts, Benton said.
The spending bill overwhelmingly passed in the House of Representatives by a 370-58 vote Wednesday and now goes to the Senate, where it is likely to be approved within the next few days, The Associated Press reported.
Paul did co-sponsor and vote for the Hurricane Ike Assistance Package, which will provide tax credit for those affected by Ike to rebuild their homes, withdraw from their retirement savings without a penalty, increase the mileage reimbursement rates as well as provide five years to avoid tax liability on gains from property completely or partially damaged.
The bill also would allow businesses that keep their employees on the payroll despite being unable to operate after the storm a 40 percent tax credit on the first $6,000 of an employee’s wages. The bill also would allow taxpayers to completely write off demolition, cleaning and repair expenses as well as extend tax filing deadlines.
“Many Texans’ homes are severely damaged, or even completely destroyed,” Paul stated in a press release. “Entire communities have been swept into the sea. We are still assessing the best ways we can help with relief, and one thing we can do is get the IRS out of the way of recovery efforts.”
Paul supports the assistance packages because they put the taxpayer’s money back into their hands, Benton said.
“It’s a good, common-sense deal,” he said. “It lets the people keep their money.”
http://www.thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=a937db1fa1fa0682
Ron Paul co-sponsors tax break measure
By John Tompkins
The Facts
Published September 26, 2008
The federal government and local officials are trying to ramp up assistance by providing tax relief, grants and other financial help to those whose homes suffered damage from Hurricane Ike.
A bill co-sponsored by Congressman Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, and passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday night would allow several types of tax breaks for Ike victims, including write-offs for disaster-related expenses and deductions for losses.
Paul voted against another measure that provides assistance for hurricane victims, however, despite Hurricane Ike having inflicted heavy damage on parts of Paul’s district, including Galveston and Surfside Beach, where the lawmaker for years has owned property.
A provision in the $630 billion omnibus spending bill approved by the House would bring $23 billion in emergency spending for areas that suffered a disaster like Hurricane Ike. Paul voted against that bill because he does not support government borrowing without balancing spending cuts, spokesman Jesse Benton said.
“He supports a bill that gives a series of tax credits for individuals and businesses,” Benton said. “What the people of Texas really need is to keep more of their own money and get the government out of the way.”
He also would not support the spending bill because, part of that funding would be given to an inefficient agency like FEMA which is “not operating like clockwork,” Benton said.
“A lot of it is bad spending to go along with a chunk of money that would have been given to FEMA,” Benton said of the spending bill.
Paul voted against similar aid packages for hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005 and traditionally votes against budget bills that do not contain balancing spending cuts, Benton said.
The spending bill overwhelmingly passed in the House of Representatives by a 370-58 vote Wednesday and now goes to the Senate, where it is likely to be approved within the next few days, The Associated Press reported.
Paul did co-sponsor and vote for the Hurricane Ike Assistance Package, which will provide tax credit for those affected by Ike to rebuild their homes, withdraw from their retirement savings without a penalty, increase the mileage reimbursement rates as well as provide five years to avoid tax liability on gains from property completely or partially damaged.
The bill also would allow businesses that keep their employees on the payroll despite being unable to operate after the storm a 40 percent tax credit on the first $6,000 of an employee’s wages. The bill also would allow taxpayers to completely write off demolition, cleaning and repair expenses as well as extend tax filing deadlines.
“Many Texans’ homes are severely damaged, or even completely destroyed,” Paul stated in a press release. “Entire communities have been swept into the sea. We are still assessing the best ways we can help with relief, and one thing we can do is get the IRS out of the way of recovery efforts.”
Paul supports the assistance packages because they put the taxpayer’s money back into their hands, Benton said.
“It’s a good, common-sense deal,” he said. “It lets the people keep their money.”