Posted on 02/01/2007 9:03:02 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
The Senate voted overwhelmingly yesterday to increase the federal minimum wage for the first time in nearly a decade, but added small-business tax breaks that are unacceptable to House leaders, preventing Democrats from claiming a quick victory on one of their top legislative priorities.
The Senate voted 94 to 3 in favor of the measure, which would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour from $5.15 over two years.
To attract Republican support, Senate leaders agreed to extend tax credits and expand deductions for businesses that would be hit hardest by the minimum-wage increase. Those tax breaks, worth $8.3 billion over 10 years, are coupled with a proposal to raise taxes by a similar amount on corporations, their chief executives and other highly paid workers.
Senate Republicans praised the measure as a responsible package that would help workers who earn the minimum wage and the businesses that employ them. They implored House leaders to accept the compromise and send it to President Bush, who put out a statement yesterday praising the Senate bill.
"I want to reiterate our hope that the House will not derail this bipartisan approach," said Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) "Middle-class relief is in their hands."
Democrats were less effusive. After the vote, presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) lined up at a news conference with the bill's sponsor, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), and bemoaned the complications. Earlier, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he would prefer to pass a minimum-wage increase without "all these business pieces of sugar."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Senate Republicans praised the measure
I give up.
Can someone please tell me what the Republican Platform is nowadays?
The Compost still writes this like it was forced on Democrats but doesn't even mention that the 3 Nos were Coburn (R-OK)
DeMint (R-SC) and Kyl (R-AZ)
Big government, tax increases, and resolute continuing opposition to gay marriage (except if you're surnamed McCain, Romney or Giuliani).
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I just looked it up on the GOP site. The hole platform statement reads like a 'legacy' statement for Bush. Taxes are brought into the picture around page 39, mostly explaining what George Bush has done about taxes and what he would like to do.
uptoolate wrote: "I give up."
Some battles are just not worth the fight. Even if the minimum wage is a drag on the economy, it won't devastate it. It's also EXTREMELY popular. This is not the sort of issue where Republicans should be willing to fall on their swords. IMO, they took the best possible approach. Now that our guys are the minority party, they need to carefully pick their fights. I give a thumbs up to the Senate on this one.
Not asking them to fall on their swords. I'd rather have them 'stand on the conservative principles' that the party use to stand for.
How come 'now that they are in the minority they need to carefully pick their fights'?
The Dems didn't when they were the minority. In fact, they walked around calling the shots as if they were in control once Gingrich was run out of town.
Do you own a business?
uptoolate wrote: "How come 'now that they are in the minority they need to carefully pick their fights'?"
Like I said, the minimum wage issue is popular with voters, and its economic impact is relatively minor. It's not going to destroy the economy.
Arguments against the minimum wage are complex. Arguments for it are simple and have emotional appeal.
If Republicans fought this issue (which, again, is relatively minor in the scheme of things), they would have been crucified in the press and suffered a loss of political power.
I'm not saying Republicans should always compromise. It really depends on the issue, and popular opinion cannot be simply ignored. After all, they still need to get elected.
I' talking about the tax increases that the REP are "praising"!
What kind of crap is that?
The mentality of todats Rep are BASSAKWARDS!
I can see giving them the wage increase for the tax credit and write-offs for small business. That's negotiation. (which by the way the Dems did not stoop to when they were the minority)
But what did we get for the increase in taxes on big companies, ceo's, and other 'highly paid workers'? The Rep's just through that one in for 'good measure'?????????
uptoolate wrote: "But what did we get for the increase in taxes on big companies, ceo's, and other 'highly paid workers'? The Rep's just through that one in for 'good measure'?????????"
I'm not aware of tax increases. Did the Dems slip some in? It's one thing for the Republicans to bargain to get the best possible outcome, but it's another thing if they're cheerleading for the other side.
Read the last sentence of the 3rd paragraph in the article.
Those tax breaks, worth $8.3 billion over 10 years, are coupled with a proposal to raise taxes by a similar amount on corporations, their chief executives and other highly paid workers.
In essence, the 8.3 billion dollars in tax breaks for small business will be carried on the backs of the big business, ceo's and 'highly paid workers.
Then what did we get for the increase in the wage?
Or, the wage increase will be off set by tax breaks to small business.
Then what did we get for tax increase on big business, ceo's and 'highly paid workers?
The Dems got a two for one on us. Stupid Rep's.
You obviously don't own a business that will bear increased labor cost, even if you don't pay minimum wage because the floor is going to be raised over $2/hr.
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