Lawmakers Oppose Aid to the Gambling Industry
Representative Todd Platts joined a group of 65 colleagues in sending a letter to President George W. Bush expressing strong opposition to the inclusion of any tax breaks to the gambling industry as part of a hurricane-relief aid bill.
The bipartisan letter cites a Washington Post article which indicates a preliminary proposal of tax incentives for economic development in the Gulf states did not exclude casinos. “With budget deficits growing to historic levels, we need to make sure tax dollars are going to those who truly need the government’s help,” the letter states. “Tax breaks for the gambling industry do not make sense. The Post article calculates the benefit to MGM Mirage could reach $50 million and that's only one casino enterprise. This special interest incentive would be a disgrace.”
Web Page Highlights (www.house.gov/platts)
Veterans Day
A statement by Congressman Platts in honor of Veterans Day is posted on the web site.
(http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/pa19_platts/veterans.html)
Award for Helping At-Risk Children
Congressman Platts was honored on October 25, 2005 by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, an anti-crime organization of more than 2,500 sheriffs, police chiefs, district attorneys, and victims of violence. The organization cited his support for measures aimed at helping at-risk children obtain quality early education and in-home parent coaching.
(http://www.house.gov/platts/gallery/photo0035.html)
The President's Advisory Panel on Tax Reform
On November 1, 2005, the President's bipartisan Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform issued its recommendations on overhauling and simplifying the more than 100,000 page federal tax code. A "Quick Link" to their recommendations can be found on the home page of Congressman Platts' web site.
(http://www.house.gov/platts)
Ensuring Disaster Relief Funds are Spent Wisely
On November 3, 2005, Congressman Platts testified before the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development and Emergency Preparedness regarding oversight of hurricane-relief efforts. His testimony is available on the web site.
(http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/pa19_platts/disasterreflief.html)
The Month in Review
The following is a list of some key votes taken by the United States House of Representatives during the month of October of 2005:
Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act (H.R. 420)
The House voted 228-184 to require sanctions to be imposed for lawsuits filed in federal court which are found by a judge to be frivolous. Congressman Platts voted in favor of H.R. 420.
Gasoline for America's Security Act (H.R. 3893)
The House voted 212-210 to pass legislation which would require the President to identify sites on federal lands, such as closed military facilities, which are suitable for the construction of new gasoline and heating oil refineries. In addition, H.R. 3893 would enhance the authority of the Secretary of Energy to coordinate the permitting process involved with constructing refineries, provide expedited judicial review of any lawsuits against proposed refineries, and provide small discounts for oil purchased from the federal government by small refineries. Supporters of H.R. 3893 point out that no new oil refineries have been built in the United States in the past 30 years, which has exacerbated high prices at the pump. Congressman Platts voted in favor of H.R. 3893.
Breast Cancer Research Postage Stamp (S. 37)
The House passed without objection a bill extending for two years the special postage stamp that helps to provide funding for breast cancer research. S. 37 is now waiting to be signed into law by the President.
Oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (H.R. 1461)
The House voted 331-90 to establish a new agency to regulate the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which have been accused of poor financial management in recent years. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are privately owned, congressionally chartered financial institutions created to support federal policies to assure ready availability of financing for housing. Some opponents of the legislation argued that even stronger oversight authority, such as that contained in a competing Senate bill, is required. Congressman Platts voted against H.R. 1461 and in favor of stronger oversight provisions.
Homeland Security Appropriations (H.R. 2360)
The House voted 347-70 to pass a Homeland Security bill that, in part, provides enough funds to hire an additional 1,000 border patrol agents and distributes emergency preparedness grants based more on risk. Congressman Platts voted in favor of H.R. 2360, and the President signed the measure into law on October 18, 2005.
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