~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

State Tabacco Taxes – done right it can be a win win solution


U.S. State and Local Issues

State Tobacco Taxes

A Win-Win-Win Solution

photo

Tobacco tax increases offer a win-win-win solution for states, especially as they face a severe fiscal crisis and work to balance budgets while preserving essential public services.

Health Win: Tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking and other tobacco use, especially among kids. Every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices reduces youth smoking by about seven percent and total cigarette consumption by about four percent.

Budget Win: Every state that has significantly increased its cigarette tax has enjoyed substantial increases in revenue, even while reducing smoking. Higher tobacco taxes also save money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs, including Medicaid expenses. States can realize even greater health benefits and cost savings by allocating some of the revenue to programs that prevent children from smoking and help smokers quit.

Political Win: National and state polls consistently have found overwhelming public support for tobacco tax increases. Polls also show that, when it comes to balancing budgets, voters prefer raising tobacco taxes to other tax increases or cutting crucial programs such as education and public safety.

Progress, But More Work to Do

In recent years, almost every state and the federal government have increased tobacco taxes. The average state cigarette tax is currently $1.46 per pack, but rates vary widely from 17 cents in Missouri to $4.35 in New York.

On April 1, 2009, the federal cigarette tax increased by 62 cents, to $1.01 per pack.

Every state and the federal government can achieve significant health and revenue gains by further increasing tobacco taxes. Governments can raise even more revenue — and reduce all tobacco use — by increasing taxes on other tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco and cigars, to parallel the rate on cigarettes. This discourages all tobacco use.

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House debates&votes on highway bill – the Senate considers S.3240,Farm bill & Judicial nominees


the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET June 11, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3240, the Farm bill, post-cloture. We continue to work on an agreement for amendments to the bill.
  • At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #607, the nomination of Andrew David Hurwitz, of AZ, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Hurwitz nomination.

————————————————————————————–

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 8, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 8, 2012
112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION  

Time Bill Floor Action
1:09:54 P.M. –   The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 12, 2012.
1:09:53 P.M. –   On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:09:23 P.M. –   Mr. Garamendi moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:24:22 P.M. –   SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
12:10:00 P.M. –   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:09:58 P.M. –   Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, June 15, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
12:09:26 P.M. –   Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 15, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
12:09:25 P.M. –   Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, June 8, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
12:09:24 P.M. – S. 3261 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:09:22 P.M. – S. 3261 On passage Passed without objection.
12:08:17 P.M. – S. 3261 Considered by unanimous consent. S. 3261 — “To allow the Chief of the Forest Service to award certain contracts for large air tankers.”
12:08:15 P.M. – S. 3261 Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
12:07:41 P.M. – H.R. 4348 On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 82 – 323 (Roll no. 378).
12:01:31 P.M. –   UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on the Broun motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4348, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:01:30 P.M. – H.R. 5882 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:01:28 P.M. – H.R. 5882 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 307 – 102 (Roll no. 377).
11:54:48 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 101 – 309 (Roll no. 376).
11:38:22 A.M. – H.R. 5882 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
11:33:24 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pingree motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to reduce funds available for the Members’ Representational Allowances, including Members’ clerk hire, official expenses, and official mail, by $3,099,244.
11:33:11 A.M. – H.R. 5882 Ms. Pingree (ME) moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
11:31:44 A.M. – H.R. 5882 The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
11:31:05 A.M. – H.R. 5882 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:30:30 A.M. – H.R. 5882 The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5882.
11:30:12 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Flake amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 148 – 261 (Roll no. 375).
11:26:05 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Moran amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 229 (Roll no. 374).
11:22:27 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 204 – 203 (Roll no. 373).
11:18:31 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 214 – 189 (Roll no. 372).
11:13:38 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Gosar amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 213 – 193 (Roll no. 371).
10:46:46 A.M. – H.R. 5882 UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
10:46:45 A.M. – H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Crenshaw demanded a recorded vote and the Chair post poned further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:35:36 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment No. 7.
10:35:33 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Flake, numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-518 to prohibit funding for the purchase of paid online advertisements by Members, committees, and leadership offices.
10:34:57 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Harper amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:31:48 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Harper amendment No. 6.
10:31:44 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Harper, numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-518 to limit the print copies of the U.S. Code for the House of Representatives to 50 copies.
10:30:28 A.M. – H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dan Lungren (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:20:04 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moran amendment No. 5.
10:20:01 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Moran, numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-518 to prohibit the use of polystyrene products in food service facilities in the House of Representatives.
10:19:39 A.M. – H.R. 5882 POSPTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Scalise amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Scalise demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:08:22 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Scalise amendment No. 4.
10:08:20 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Scalise, numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-518 to reduce by $1,000,000 the amount provided for the Open World Leadership Center and directs that $1,000,000 to the Spending Reduction Account.
10:07:58 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Holt amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:59:13 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment No. 3.
9:59:11 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Holt, numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-518 to adjust funding for Congressional Printing and Binding under the GPO to address the availability of pocket versions of the United States Constitution for members of the House. Currently the House has no additional pocket constitutions for members to disburse to their constituents.
9:58:56 A.M. – H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Honda demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:52:54 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment No. 2.
9:52:51 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-518 to reduce funding for the Congressional Research Service by $878,000 (FY 2012 Level) and transfer $878,000 to the Spending Reduction Account.
9:49:00 A.M. – H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:41:14 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gosar amendment No. 1.
9:41:12 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Gosar, numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-518 to reduce the budget for the Botanic Garden by $1,235,000 for Fiscal Year 2013, so that it is appropriated resources at 2009 levels.
9:15:52 A.M. – H.R. 5882 GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5882.
9:15:20 A.M. – H.R. 5882 The Speaker designated the Honorable Charles F. Bass to act as Chairman of the Committee.
9:15:19 A.M. – H.R. 5882 House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 679 and Rule XVIII.
9:14:52 A.M. – H.R. 5882 Resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 436 and H.R. 5882. General debate on H.R. 5882 will continue for not to exceed one hour, equally divided and controlled. Specified amendments to H.R. 5882 are in order.
9:14:47 A.M. – H.R. 5882 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 679. H.R. 5882 — “Making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”
9:03:02 A.M. –   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:02:15 A.M. –   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Barrow to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:11 A.M. –   The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:01:07 A.M. –   Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:00:57 A.M. –   The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Trends in the Distribution of Household Income, 1979-2007


Congressional Budget Office

 Presentation to the National Tax Association 2012 Spring  Symposium – Click on link below

http://p.feedblitz.com/t2.asp?/812526/27858637/4189362/http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/cbospublications/~http://www.slideshare.net/cbo

After-Tax Income Grew More for Highest-Income Households

After-tax income for the highest-income households grew more than it did for any other group. (After-tax income is income after federal taxes have been deducted and government transfers—which are payments to people through such programs as Social Security and Unemployment Insurance—have been added.)

CBO finds that, between 1979 and 2007, income grew by:

  • 275 percent for the top 1 percent of households,
  • 65 percent for the next 19 percent,
  • Just under 40 percent for the next 60 percent, and
  • 18 percent for the bottom 20 percent.

Shares of Income After Transfers and Federal Taxes, 1979 and 2007

The share of income going to higher-income households rose, while the share going to lower-income households fell.

  • The top fifth of the population saw a 10-percentage-point increase in their share of after-tax income.
  • Most of that growth went to the top 1 percent of the population.
  • All other groups saw their shares decline by 2 to 3 percentage points.

Market Income Shifted Toward Higher-Income Households

Shifts in the distribution of market income underlie most of the changes in the distribution of after-tax income. (Market income—or income before taxes and transfers—includes labor income, business income, capital income, capital gains, and income from other sources such as pensions.)

  • Each source of market income was less evenly distributed in 2007 than in 1979.
  • More concentrated sources of income (such as business income and capital gains) grew faster than less concentrated sources (such as labor income).

Government Transfers and Federal Taxes Became Less Redistributive

Government transfers and federal taxes both help to even out the income distribution. Transfers boost income the most for lower-income households, while taxes claim a larger share of income as people’s income rises.

In 2007, federal taxes and transfers reduced the dispersion of income by 20 percent, but that equalizing effect was larger in 1979.

  • The share of transfer payments to the lowest-income households declined.
  • The overall average federal tax rate fell.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Will the EPA Choose Political Influence over Science?


Rainforest Action Network
 
Tell Obama’s EPA not to cave to industry pressure on palm oil and climate change.
EPA Science
Take Action

The EPA recently confirmed that the destruction of rainforests for palm oil is having a devastating impact on our climate. In fact, this deforestation, in large part for palm oil plantations, has led Indonesia to become the third largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, just behind China and the United States.

These severe climate and forest impacts should ensure that palm-oil based biofuels stay out of the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard, which mandates that American motorists use 36 billion gallons of biofuel in their cars and trucks by 2022. But not if the powerful palm oil lobby has anything to do with it. A massive lobby effort led by palm oil companies Cargill and Wilmar is being waged to persuade the EPA to overturn its own climate science on palm oil.

Tell Obama’s EPA not to cave to industry pressure on palm oil and climate change.

Palm oil companies know this is jeopardizing news to their multi-billion dollar industry. In the United States, the EPA’s decision could also determine to what extent the U.S. becomes a major palm oil buyer. Consumption of palm oil in the United States is growing at a much faster rate than anywhere else in the world–making sense that industry reps from Indonesia and Malaysia are concerned about protecting palm oil’s reputation here.

The palm oil industry will do whatever it takes to maximize profits at the expense of destruction of the forest, species, and communities of Indonesia and Malaysia–where 85% of the world’s palm oil is cultivated.

Please urge the EPA to adhere to its own scientific findings over listening to palm oil industry giants such as Cargill and Wilmar.

Ashley Schaeffer

For the forests,
Ashley Schaeffer
Rainforest Agribusiness Campaigner
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Pelosi – House Dems and Congress in the Newsroom JUNE 2012

5 Comments

It’s been more than 250 days since the GOP took control of the House, and Americans are still asking: Where are the jobs, House Republicans?

The middle class is hurting, and the Republicans’ only answer is a plan to end Medicare and give tax breaks to Big Oil and companies that ship jobs overseas.

Learn more about the legislation the House has considered this Congress:

The Republican Default Act»

H.R. 1315 – Assault on Consumer Protections»

H.R. 2560 – GOP Cut, Cap & End Medicare Act»

H.R. 2018 – Undermining Clean Water»

H.R. 1309 – Flood Insurance»

H.R. 2417 – BULB Act»

H.R. 2219 – Defense Appropriations»

H.R. 2021 – More Giveaways to Big Oil, Not Lower Gas Prices»

H.R. 672 – Ending the Election Assistance Commission (EAC)»

H.R. 2112 – FY 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill»

H.R. 2055 – FY 2012 Military Construction/VA Appropriations Bill»

H.R. 1229 & H.R. 1231 – More Gifts To Big Oil»

H.R. 1230 – A Gift to Big Oil»

Restricting Women’s Access to Health Care»

Reducing Access to Health Care For Small Businesses & Uninsured»

Reducing Access to Health Care for Young People»

Upton-Inhofe Weaken Clean Air Act»

The FAA Job Loss Bill»

DC Private School Vouchers»

HAMP Termination Act»

GOP Spending Bill»

Build America Bonds»

GOP Patients’ Rights Repeal Bill»

H.R. 359 – Placing Control of Our Elections More Squarely Into the Hands of Special Interests»

Learn more about Democratic motions the House has considered this Congress:
On certain bills, House Democrats are allowed to offer a Motion to Recommit amending the pending bill before the final passage vote. Democrats have offered many motions this Congress ranging from increasing combat pay for our troops to protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Democratic Motions to Recommit in the 112th Congress»

As Speaker Boehner continues his legal boondoggle to defend the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act in the federal courts, he is batting 0 for 4. Today’s ruling in Windsor vs. U.S. marks the fourth loss for his lawyers as the court ruled that DOMA serves no rational purpose and is unconstitutional.

In Windsor vs. U.S., Speaker Boehner intervened in the case of Edie Windsor who was penalized by DOMA to the tune of $350,000 after the death of her spouse, Thea Spyer, of 44 years.

When Thea died, the federal government refused to recognize their marriage and taxed Edie’s inheritance from Thea as though they were strangers. Under DOMA, only an opposite-sex spouse who dies can leave her assets, including the family home, to the other spouse without incurring estate taxes.

Boehner’s lawyers have now intervened in 14 cases and spent over $700,000 in taxpayer funds, but have now lost four cases in a row:

February 22, 2012 – U.S. District Court in California declares DOMA unconstitutional, in Golinski v. United States, ruling in favor of Karen Golinski who sought to enroll her wife in the federal employee health plan

May 24, 2012 – U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California rules DOMA unconstitutional and held that federal tax law cannot limit the participation of same-sex married couples and domestic partners in a long-term care insurance plan in Dragovich v. U.S. Department of Treasury.

May 31, 2012 – U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston rules DOMA unconstitutional in Massachusetts v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

June 6, 2012 – U.S. District Court in New York rules DOMA unconstitutional in Windsor vs. U.S.

More background and a timeline of Speaker Boehner’s indefensible DOMA defense are available here.

politics,pollution,petitions,pop culture & purses