Did you miss this week's issue of NTUF's Taxpayer's Tab? If so, here's a quick recap.
This week's Wildcard: News reports earlier this month that the Obama administration was advancing a 15-cent federal tax on Christmas trees generated a significant amount of online buzz. Further investigation showed that the tax was actually an industry association "checkoff" program and that it had been proposed by Republican lawmakers in the 104th Congress. Checkoff programs are often by the producers of agricultural commodities -- beef or cotton for example -- to fund research and advertising efforts.
A bill by Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) -- H.R. 3395 -- would do the same thing for the concrete industry. H.R. 3395 would create the Concrete Masonry Products Board to promote and market concrete products. The Board would be made up of representatives of the concrete industry appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. Producers and importers of concrete masonry would initially be assessed $0.01 per concrete masonry unit sold in the United States. The Secretary of Commerce would have authority to levy late-payment and interest charges on those producers who fail to remit an assessment.
The Most Expensive Bill of the Week: S. 1321, Practical Energy Plan Act of 2011, sponsored by Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN). The bill would expand domestic oil production by reopening offshore and outer continental shelf zones. It would also make grants to state and local governments to make America more energy efficient.
The Least Expensive Bill of the Week: H.R. 2319, Maximizing America’s Prosperity (MAP) Act of 2011 sponsored by Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX), would cap all non-interest spending by the federal government beginning in FY 2013 and reduce spending as a percentage of GDP over the next decade. The bill would also establish the Federal Agency Sunset Commission. Charged with reviewing every agency for efficiency and need at least once every 12 years.
The Most Friended Bill: Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Senator Robert Casey (D-PA) have sponsored the Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Act. The act calls for a Congressional Gold Medal to be made for each 9/11 memorial site to commemorate the lives lost, including the first responders, military personnel, foreign nationals, and civilians. 64 Democrats and 123 Republicans in support of H.R. 2864. 26 Democrats and 52 Republicans in support of H.R. 3421. 11 Democrats and two Republicans in support of S. 1239.
For more details, including NTUF's preliminary cost estimates for each of these bills, read the entire Taxpayer's Tab online.
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