Trent's Blog

 

 

 

 

Rep. Trent Franks unveils bill targeting casino

GLENDALE- U.S. Rep. Trent Franks unveiled a bill Friday to stop what he called an “illegal” Indian casino proposed near Glendale. Franks, R-Ariz., was joined by state and local lawmakers and tribal representatives as he spoke to about 100 people gathered at a news conference at the Glendale Media Center. Franks’ bill would modify a 25-year-old settlement between Congress and the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Franks outlines measure to block Glendale casino

Glendale resident Nancy Robinette is against the Tohono O’odham’s plans for a casino-resort at 91st and Northern avenues; though she is quick to point out she has no issues with gambling. Robinette was one of dozens in attendance for Rep. Trent Franks’ press conference Friday morning to formally announce the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Clarification Act. Franks, flanked by local, state and tribal legislators and leaders, said he is pursuing the legislation because he believes the Tohono O’odham are overreaching.

Help Stop Casino Near Glendale Homes and Schools

Friday, Arizona Congressman Trent Franks – strongly supported by Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, members of the Glendale City Council, representatives from Arizona’s tribal nations, and other federal, state and local representatives – introduced the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Clarification Act. Franks’ proposal will stop one tribe, the southern Arizona Tohono O’Odham Nation, from opening an illegal casino in the middle of Glendale, near homes, schools and small businesses.

Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Launched

Joining Congresswoman Lee at the event and as founding co-chairs of the Caucus were Congressman Jim McDermott (D-CA) and Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ). Representative Franks observed that there are some issues on which Members of Congress “can find great common ground” and HIV/AIDS was one of them. 

Franks to Sebelius: Preserve Medicare Part D

The Medicare Part D program is performing much better than anyone would have predicted…the efficient delivery of the drug benefit through competitive private plans in a consumer driven market vindicated the design of the drug program. Medicare Part D created a competitive marketplace for private drug plans and its success is undeniable.

House committee passes E-Verify after two days of debate

CRONKITE NEWS- Arizona’s 2008 E-Verify law was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, which said that states have the right to revoke businesses licenses if they are found hiring undocumented workers. Rep. Trent Franks, R-Glendale, said states should have that right, but he defended a federal bill in the meantime.

GOP House leaders rebuked on spending

WASHINGTON POST- ...Many Republicans considered the figure a cap and believed their party should push for deeper cuts at every turn. Fifty had signed a letter last week urging deeper cuts, and 48 voted against the measure. “There has to be that moment where we say ‘no, this is not what is necessary, and we’re going to have to work for something better,’ ” said Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), who opposed the bill.

 

House Conservatives Vote Down Boehner’s Continuing Resolution That Permitted Funding For Obamacare, Planned Parenthood, Palestinian Authority…

Among the leading conservatives opposing it were Rep. Steve King (R.-Iowa), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R.-Texas), Rep. Joe Walsh (R.-Ill.), Rep. Jeff Flake (R.-Ariz.), Rep. Trent Franks (R.-Ariz.) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R.-Ohio), the chairman of the House Republican Study Committee, which is the organization of House conservatives. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R.-Minn.) and Rep. Ron Paul (R.-Texas), who are campaigning for president, did not vote.

For Restless Lawmakers, Accord Proves Elusive

NEW YORK TIMES- Republicans for their part think that if they hold strong to the principles that they believe got them elected — budget cutting and deficit reduction — any hardball tactics will be rewarded.  “I know this is going to sound really partisan,” said Representative Trent Franks, a Republican from Arizona. “But I think if people think about the possibility of the re-election of President Obama,” they will ignore the rancor and pull the lever for Republicans again, he said.

 

GOP wins back nearly half of defecting Republicans in CR vote

THE HILL- House GOP leaders early Friday morning managed to win back almost half of the 48 Republicans who handed their leadership an embarrassing defeat by voting against a continuing resolution Wednesday night.

KINGMAN- Based on the 2010 census, Arizona picked up a ninth congressional seat. Currently, U.S. Congressional District 2 includes all of Mohave County and part of western Maricopa County. U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, R-Glendale, represents District 2.

By Rep. Trent Franks  12/11/09 10:21 AM

Red County

 

 During my tenure in Congress, I have seen my share of misleading bill names. Members of Congress unsurprisingly tend to use the most flowery language possible when naming their bills, attempting to cast their proposals in a positive light, potentially glossing over any shortcomings with clever wordplay. But H.R. 4154, the "Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act" is one of the most egregious examples in recent memory of misleadingly named legislation.

 

The assertion that this bill serves to relieve the tax burden on "families, farmers, and small businesses" is both laughably absurd and completely false. Not only does H.R. 4154 NOT relieve the tax burden on those mentioned, it actually worsens it.

 

In this instance, the logic behind the Democrats' choice of bill name is amusing. For decades, Republicans have fought for a full repeal of the "estate tax," more accurately called the "death tax." With this goal in mind, under the 2001 Bush tax cuts, the death tax was set to steadily decline, leading up to 2010, during which no death tax would be imposed. However, because of the way the legislation was written, the death tax would go back up to Clinton-era levels in excess of 50% in 2011.

 

Instead of acting to extend Republicans' 2001 legislation to decrease the death tax and, at the very least, allowing the death tax rate to continue its downward spiral or, better yet, finally doing away with the tax completely, House Democrats decided to make the death tax permanent at a rate of 45%. The argument, then, is that since the death tax rate would have increased, had Congress done nothing, Democrats are actually doing Americans a FAVOR by making the tax permanent, at the ostensibly "low" rate of 45%.

 

In short, they are saying, "Well, making the death tax permanent is non-negotiable, but we are feeling generous, so instead of charging you 50%, we will only charge you 45%." A 45% tax is the Democrats' idea of tax "relief."

And as burdensome as the death tax would be, it is especially egregious in that the tax is, by its very nature, more unfair than most. The death tax differs in that it taxes someone's entire estate after they die. It is essentially a "double tax;" Americans are already taxed on the money they spend, the money they earn, the money they save, etc...when they are alive. The death tax is the government's second pass -- an attempt to squeeze every penny it can out of someone's estate, before it is passed along to loved ones (after which, of course, it will be taxed yet again, if the money from the estate is spent).

 

Benjamin Franklin famously wrote, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." It used to be, however, that, at the very least, death earned you respite from the government's never-ending taxes. But now, in a feat that only Congressional Democrats could achieve, the federal government, discontent with merely overtaxing you while you are alive, is even taxing the dead.