September 2008
Senate Extends Property Tax Relief
The
Senate voted to extend Senator Bayh's property tax relief legislation
for 30 million homeowners nationally and up to 942,000 in
Indiana.
Earlier this year, the Senate passed a new standard deduction of up to
$1,000 for families who do not itemize the deductions on their income
tax return. That
relief was set to expire at the end of 2008 but will now be extended
for an additional year through 2009. The vote is seen as an indicator
that the Bayh property tax cuts may become permanent relief for
non-itemizers. Those who stand to benefit most include many elderly
and fixed-income homeowners who do not itemize, have paid down or paid off their
mortgages, and have few other deductions to itemize. Providing this
supplemental standard deduction will afford much-needed property tax relief to
these homeowners.
[ read more ]
Army to Investigate Toxic Exposure of Indiana National Guard Members
At the request of Senator Bayh, the Army
has agreed to conduct an investigation into Indiana National
Guard members' exposure to hazardous chemicals while serving in
Iraq
in 2003. A 60-day senior-level Army Review Panel will evaluate the
steps taken to identify, inform and treat members of the 1st Battalion,
152nd Infantry who were exposed to sodium dichromate while guarding the
Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Plant in
Iraq
in 2003.
"This investigation is an
essential first step to ensure that members of the Indiana National Guard
receive the best care possible after they were unwittingly exposed to
potentially carcinogenic toxins in the line of duty," Senator Bayh said.
Earlier this month, Bayh proposed
legislation to create an Agent Orange-style registry to track and assist
U.S.
military
personnel exposed to hazardous chemicals during their deployments.
[ read more ] [ read the letter from Sec. Geren ]
Bayh Ends U.S. Blank Check Policy to Iraq
Senator
Bayh's legislation to stem the flow of taxpayer funds to Iraq will go
to President Bush for his signature. Bayh authored a provision in the
2009 National Defense Authorization bill that will force the Iraqi
government to use its ballooning budget surplus to fund the
reconstruction of its own country, easing the burden on American
taxpayers. The final legislation includes a ban on the use of U.S.
taxpayer funds for major reconstruction projects in Iraq costing more
than $2 million. The language was drafted by Senators Bayh, Ben Nelson
of Nebraska, and Susan Collins of Maine.
"It's
not fair to ask the American people to borrow billions from China to
hand over to a country that is not spending its own money to help
itself," Senator Bayh said. "This legislation puts the onus on the
Iraqis to spend their surplus to rebuild their country and train their
military."
[ read more ]
2008 Job Fair, Job Training and Small Business Summits To Be Held Across Indiana Oct. 14 to 17
Every year, Senator Bayh works to keep Hoosiers in good-paying jobs and help small businesses grow by hosting a series of Job Fair, Job Training and Small Business Summits across the state. Last year, more than 5,000 job opportunities were
available at the job fairs, and more than 250 Hoosier businesses
participated. This year, Senator Bayh will host job fairs from Oct. 14 to 17 in Evansville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Hammond, Marion, South Bend and Terre Haute.
"It's
absolutely essential that Hoosiers are fully informed about the job
opportunities and federal resources that are available to them,"
Senator Bayh said. "These fairs will have a wealth of resources to help
Hoosiers find and retain good-paying jobs."
[ For information on your local job fair or to register your business, click here ]
Senate Passes Bayh Plan to Protect U.S. Innovators
The
Senate has passed legislation with key provisions authored by Senator
Bayh to give greater protection to American innovators. The
legislation, a sweeping overhaul of intellectual property (IP) rights
enforcement, includes specific measures proposed by Bayh to
significantly increase resources for Department of Justice programs to
combat IP theft. It also provides better coordination and strategic
planning of federal efforts against counterfeiting and piracy. The
measure now moves to President Bush for his signature. "American businesses lose $250 billion every year because of
intellectual property theft," Bayh said. "Enactment of this legislation
will signify a quantum leap forward in safeguarding American
innovation."
[ read more ]
Bayh Spina Bifida Aid Bill Advances
Children of
veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical used by the U.S.
military in the Vietnam and Korean Wars, are at a higher risk of being
born with spina bifida, a condition in which the vertebrae do not form
properly around the spinal cord. Legislation
sponsored by Indiana Senators Bayh and Dick Lugar and Congressman Brad
Ellsworth to facilitate better health care for the children of veterans
exposed to Agent Orange moves to President Bush for his signature. Currently, families with children afflicted with spina bifida are
required to jump through bureaucratic hurdles each time they seek
medical treatment, regardless of whether they have already been
determined eligible for Veterans Administration care. Bayh's
legislation would eliminate this cumbersome process and make it easier
for veterans' children to get the care they need.
[ read more ]
Bayh Encourages Hoosiers to File Tax Return by Oct. 15 to Receive a Stimulus Payment
As the deadline to receive an economic stimulus payment approaches, Senator Bayh is encouraging all seniors, disabled veterans, people
with disabilities, and others who do not regularly file a tax return to
do so by October 15. Hoosiers who receive Social Security benefits,
veterans' disability compensation, pension or survivors' benefits from
the Department of Defense and have at least $3,000 of qualifying income
may be eligible for a stimulus payment, even if they do not owe taxes. "Hoosiers should get their fair share of the economic stimulus
package," Senator Bayh said. "By filing a 2007 tax return statement by
Oct. 15, Hoosiers who are eligible will get the tax relief promised in
this economic stimulus package."
[ read more ]
Bayh To Host Service Leader Summit in Indianapolis Oct. 25
Each
year on National Make a Difference Day, Sen. Bayh pays tribute to the
outstanding generosity and dedication of Indiana's student volunteers
by hosting a Service Leader Summit for Hoosier high school students.
This year's summit will take place in Indianapolis on October 25.
Many
students donate their time and energy to improve the lives of others in
their communities. The Service Leader Summit brings these youth from
around the state together to thank them for their work and encourage
volunteerism in Indiana. Student volunteers have until Oct. 10 to apply
to attend the summit with Sen. Bayh.
[ To learn more about the summit or apply to attend, click here ]
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