National Desk

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

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NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

WASHINGTON


HOUSE PASSES MIDDLE-CLASS TAX-CUT BILL


The House yesterday passed a $145.9 billion package of tax relief to extend three popular middle-class tax cuts, giving President Bush his fourth major tax victory since taking office.


The House approved the proposal 339-65, with many Democrats joining in support of the politically popular measure even though they criticized the Republican-led Congress’s refusal to pay for the new tax relief at a time of soaring budget deficits.


The House vote came in the midst of Senate debate on the same bill. The Senate was expected to quickly pass the measure as well, sending it to the president for his signature.


Republicans were eager to pass the legislation needed to extend the tax measures and give Mr. Bush a big legislative victory in the closing weeks of his campaign for re-election.


Without action, the three provisions affecting an estimated 94 million Americans would expire at the end of this year. The legislation keeps the per child tax credit at $1,000, retains an expanded 10% income bracket that affects virtually all taxpayers, and retains provisions to provide tax relief for married couples.


“This is about providing tax relief for the hardworking men and women of America,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, a Republican of Iowa, said in closing Senate debate on the bill.


Debate in both chambers followed similar lines, with many Democrats saying they supported the popular tax cuts but were unhappy that Republicans had refused to consider offsets such as tax increases in other areas or spending cuts to pay for the package and keep it from making future deficits worse.


– Associated Press


EAST


AIDE TO GOVERNOR ROWLAND INDICTED


HARTFORD, Conn. – A former top aide to Governor Rowland and a major state construction contractor were indicted yesterday on charges they ran a criminal organization from the governor’s office, trading contracts for gold coins, expensive meals, and limousine trips.


The 15-count indictment accuses former co-chief of staff Peter N. Ellef and contractor William Tomasso of conspiring to steer state contracts from 1997 to 2003. It also names Ellef’s son, Peter N. Ellef II.


Mr. Tomasso is accused of giving the elder Ellef more than $1 million worth of gold, cash, trips, meals, and vacations. In return, Mr. Ellef allegedly helped steer tens of millions of dollars in contracts to Mr. Tomasso and his companies.


The indictment does not name Mr. Rowland, but says the racketeering scheme included at least five people – only four of whom are named. On one occasion “a former high-level state official” received a nearly $300 bottle of champagne, according to the indictment.


“It is important to read the caption. It lists all the individuals charged. My client’s name is not listed in the caption, nor should it be,” said Mr. Rowland’s attorney, William F. Dow III.


– Associated Press


WEST


SENATOR HATFIELD IN INTENSIVE CARE AFTER FALL


SALEM, Ore. – A former U.S. senator of Oregon, Mark Hatfield, is in intensive care after falling and hitting his head at his daughter’s home in Bethesda, Md., a family spokesman said yesterday.


The 82-year-old Mr. Hatfield fell Wednesday evening after attending the dedication of a government building named in his honor in Bethesda.


“He keeled over backwards and struck his head on the floor,” said Gerry Frank, a longtime friend who served as chief of staff to the former Republican senator.


Mr. Hatfield was taken by ambulance to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and later transferred to Washington Hospital Center, where he was being treated in the intensive care unit, Mr. Frank said.


Doctors weren’t sure what caused the fall, although they said it did not appear Hatfield had suffered a stroke or heart attack, Mr. Frank said.


Mr. Hatfield was expected to remain hospitalized “for at least the next few days,” he said. Mr. Hatfield has had problems with his hearing in recent years, but otherwise has been in reasonably good health, Mr. Frank said.


Hatfield, a former Oregon governor, served 30 years in the Senate after he was first elected in 1966.The building he helped dedicate houses offices of the National Institutes of Health.


– Associated Press


FOREST SERVICE WORKERS SURVIVE PLANE CRASH


SEATTLE – Two Forest Service workers who were believed killed in a fiery plane crash huddled together to stay warm in the freezing temperatures of the Montana wilderness, and one was in such excruciating pain that he had trouble bending over to get water from a stream, a doctor said yesterday.


New details of the workers’ miraculous survival emerged yesterday as one of their doctors held a news conference to discuss their recovery, and their families described the shock of learning the news just as they were making funeral arrangements.


“We were putting together his obituary,” said Matthew Ramige’s mother, Wendy Becker. “We were consoling each other and the Forest Service rushed in and told us we had to get to the hospital because he walked out. We were in disbelief.”


Mr. Ramige, 29, and Jodee Hogg, 23, walked away from the Monday crash in northwest Montana and emerged from the wilderness on a highway Wednesday afternoon, a day after both the Flathead County sheriff and the U.S. Forest Service had announced their deaths. Three others died in the crash.


Mr. Hogg was in stable condition yesterday at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Montana. Mr. Ramige was in serious condition at a Seattle hospital with a spinal fracture and burns over 20% of his body on his hands, face, and chest. But his doctor said he should fully recover and be back at work by next spring.


– Associated Press

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


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