Today the Senate passed a tax plan which reduces the top rate of the estate tax to 35 percent; increases the exemption level to $5 million; indexes exemptions to inflation and includes a stepped-up basis.
The House is expected to vote on this bill as early as TODAY.
Please contact your representative and ask them to support the estate tax provisions in the Senate bill.
Tips for calling members of Congress:
Remember calls are typically received by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment. After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message for the Representative.
You will want to state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your senators' or representative's position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.
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Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
WesterN winTer wAnDERLust
When there are days you need to see God by your side, He places His hand in yours and leads you to where hope shines through life's roughest weather.
~He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak~Isaiah 40:29
Saturday, December 11, 2010
~DeLIST the GraY WOLF~
PLC, NCBA Support New Legislation to Delist the Gray Wolf
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON (Dec.7, 2010) -The Public Lands Council (PLC) and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) support the State Sovereignty Wildlife Management Act, which would return management authority of gray wolves to the states and remove them from the endangered species list. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Representatives Rob Bishop (R-Utah); Mike Simpson (R-Idaho); Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.); Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.); Trent Franks (R-Ariz.); Wally Herger (R-Calif.); Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah); and Dean Heller (R-Nev.). PLC and NCBA support their efforts to return wolf management to states and bring relief to livestock producers.
"Wolf depredation of livestock is becoming increasingly prevalent in areas where wolves have been introduced under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We lost a couple of calves and a cow this summer," said NCBA President-elect and Montana rancher Bill Donald. "When the pack on our ranch grows to more than eight, wolf depredation of livestock starts. If the pack remains small it doesn't bother cattle. This is evidence that wolves no longer need to be listed under the ESA. However, instead of delisting wolves, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) continuously increases ESA Recovery Plan goals, making delisting impossible."
According to PLC President and federal lands rancher John Falen, unlike many species listed under the ESA, wolves pose a serious threat to wildlife, humans and private property, especially livestock. Falen said the FWS does not have resources to manage continued listing of the gray wolf under the ESA. More specifically, he noted that studies have shown for every confirmed kill of livestock there are seven to eight that go unconfirmed.
"Rather than continuing to allow the distant federal government to dictate how ranchers manage and care for their herds, the State Sovereignty Wildlife Management Act would return authority to the states where it rightly belongs," Falen said. "Wolf depredation threatens ranchers' livelihoods and rural communities and economies relying on a profitable agricultural industry. It is time to end the unwarranted listing of the gray wolf. We urge more members of Congress to support this legislation."
Wolves kill 23 lambs in NE Oregon (via http://www.kval.com/news/43055822.html) |
Contact: Mary Geiger, 202-879-9138 or mgeiger@beef.org
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The above was taken from an NCBA Press Release I received earlier this week. I found it curious that no WA of OR Representatives signed on to introduce this legislation...perhaps because we are working on a State Wolf Plan (oh yes THAT wolf plan introducing EIGHT breeding pair into our lil tiny state). Thoughts?? Ventings??