Extension of Tax Relief Needed

Senator Roberts, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, took to the Senate floor to urge Congress to extend the tax relief set to expire at the end of the year. Continuing this tax relief will benefit all taxpayers and provide certainty for small businesses to create jobs and get the economy back on track.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgHZ_Vh2FOY

Senator Roberts said, “The looming tax increases that will take effect next year will hit every American who pays income taxes. This tax relief, which was passed on a bipartisan basis, and supported by several Senators in the Majority who are still serving in the Senate, has benefitted families and small businesses across income levels. This tax relief doubled the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000. This credit amount will be cut in half next year. The bill lowered capital gains and dividend tax rates to benefit families who invest long-term and save for their future. Those taxes will go up dramatically next year – by as much as 33 percent for capital gains and 164 percent for dividends. The bill lowered income tax rates for every taxpayer who pays taxes – whether you’re a lower income taxpayer, a middle income taxpayer, or an upper income taxpayer.

“We will not get our economy back on track until small businesses begin hiring. And they are not going to hire if they have to pay more taxes in January on top of what they’ve already been burdened with in the health care bill. Yet, that’s precisely what the administration’s proposal will do. We can and should continue tax relief to all taxpayers – tax relief that helps families keep more of their hard-earned dollars and tax relief that provides certainty to small businesses so they can make investments and create jobs without the fear that their taxes will go up. I am committed to extending this tax relief that keeps money in the hands of families and small businesses, rather than putting it in the pocket of Uncle Sam.”

Senator Roberts authored an op-ed on the need for this tax relief extension that appeared recently in the Hays Daily News: http://www.hdnews.net/Story/patroberts101310 . To listen to audio from his speech, go to: http://src.senate.gov/public/_files/radio/robertsfloor092810.mp3 .

Visiting Quest Diagnostics in Lenexa

Senator Roberts appreciated the opportunity to tour a couple of Quest Diagnostics laboratories in Lenexa recently.

Sen. Roberts said, “I enjoyed seeing firsthand what the nearly thousand employees in the Kansas City area do - testing for life and long-term care insurance applicants, drug and general lab testing, and clinical trials. It was a pleasure to sit and visit with so many employees in the Quest Diagnostics cafeteria about their job and their role in our health care system both here in Kansas and nationally. We’re all familiar with these type of tests for your doctor, life insurance provider, employer, etc. and I appreciated the chance to see the process of the diagnostic testing. Quest Diagnostics also conducts clinical trials in order to research the safety of new drugs. It is always impressive to learn of the work of such a technologically advanced company in Kansas and I am proud of their local economic impact on our state as well as nationally.”

Dedicating Biotech Incubator in Lawrence

Senator Roberts was honored to help dedicate the new Bioscience and Technology Business Center at the University of Kansas in Lawrence along with KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little and several local and state officials. Roberts said, “This biotech business incubator directs research done at KU into the marketplace and creates and attracts high-tech jobs here in Kansas.. This $7.25 million incubator facility is a partnership involving the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, University of Kansas, KU Endowment, Lawrence-Douglas County Biosciences Authority and of course the Kansas Bioscience Authority. I was proud to attend an event showcasing cooperation on all levels of government in what I like to call the ‘high-tech business corridor.’”

More information can be found about the project by visiting www.btbcku.com .

Also in Lawrence, Senator Roberts visited with and joined many of our Kansas local, state and federal leaders in attending the Sunflower Showdown, the KU/K-State football game.

Requesting Audit of Katrina Funds

Senator Roberts joined Congressman Todd Tiahrt and Senator Sam Brownback in writing to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary requesting an audit of taxpayer funds allocated to certain Gulf States following Hurricane Katrina. Senator Roberts said, “We must know all of the facts to ensure that taxpayer funds are not being misspent at the expense of our state.”

The Members of Congress wrote to Sec. Donovan, “We write to request an audit of the funds allocated through your department for economic development in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. We are concerned by persistent allegations that such funds are being used to entice companies from other states to relocate to Louisiana in violation of federal laws and regulations and against the intent of the Congress. Hawker Beechcraft, a Wichita, Kansas-based aircraft manufacturer, recently informed its employees union that it is considering a move to Louisiana after that state offered significant financial incentives. Recent reports indicate Louisiana is prepared to spend $400 million to bring Hawker Beechcraft to Baton Rouge. This is a particularly large sum in the context of reports that Louisiana faces the prospect of a $1.6 billion deficit in next year’s budget and is considering deep cuts in state spending.”

To read coverage in the Kansas City Star of their efforts in behalf of taxpayer dollars: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/10/2296873/two-kansas-senators-request-federal.html .

Honoring Ft. Leavenworth’s Command and General Staff College

To honor the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth’s 132 years of educating the nation’s military leaders, the Senate passed and the President signed into law, Senators Roberts and Brownback’s Five-Star General’s Commemorative Coin Act. The law requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition of five United States Army Five-Star Generals.

“Kansas is proud to be the home of the oldest, largest and arguably the most prestigious military staff college in the United States. The school is a first class center of excellence for leadership development and joint operational education,” Senator Roberts said. “As a former Marine, I am pleased the Senate approved my legislation to honor this institution and five outstanding five-star generals.”

A multi-year effort, Senator Roberts authored the bill and he and Senator Brownback obtained seventy-four co-sponsors of the legislation, S. 455, The Five-Star General’s Commemorative Coin Act, which authorizes the minting of 100,000 five dollar coins; 500,000 one dollar coins; and 750,000 half-dollar coins that honors our nation’s five, Five-Star Generals. Numerous military officers who have become household names studied and served on Fort Leavenworth. Key among them are America’s five-star Generals: George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry “Hap” Arnold, and Omar N. Bradley. A surcharge will be applied to each coin in the amount of $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar coin, and $5 for each half-dollar clad coin. Proceeds from the sales of these coins will be directed to the Command and General Staff College Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that is chartered to support innovation and creativity at the Command and General Staff College by creating programs and activities that contribute to the Margin of Excellence at the college. There is no cost to the United States Treasury to produce the coins.

Topeka Greater Chamber of Commerce Speech

Earlier this month, Senator Roberts addressed the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce about many important issues facing Congress, including the need to extend tax relief, cut spending, and reduce the size of government in order to get the economy back on track. Sen. Roberts said, “I told the Chamber that I am very disappointed that we did not give Kansas small business employers and families the certainty of knowing what their tax obligation will be next year before we adjourned. The tax relief expiring at the end of this year creates a looming tax increase for all taxpayers come January and adds to the uncertainty many job creators are facing. Much to my dismay, Congress left without settling this question, which is too important to be relegated to a controversial and unpopular lame duck session. I support extending this tax relief for all Kansas families and taxpayers.”

Highlighting Military Absentee Voting Week

As a former Marine, Sen. Roberts believes in the need to ensure that those who sacrifice for our freedom can know their votes are counted. Roberts recently thanked the Department of Defense for promoting Absentee Voting Week.

Sen. Roberts said, “Every member of our military and their families should have the opportunity and convenience of voting even when serving outside their home states. The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced “Absentee Voting Week” to raise awareness of the absentee voting process for DoD personnel stationed overseas. Absentee voting extends beyond this week and is important for each election, but a new website and educational materials are now available from the Defense Department. I strongly commend the Department of Defense for highlighting Absentee Voting Week to raise awareness and make sure that every servicemember and their family is aware of this program. These men and women risk their lives for democracy and voting rights all over the world. I encourage all citizens voting under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to request one through the Federal Voting Assistance Program: http://www.fvap.gov .”

Some important links:

Federal Voting Assistance Program: http://www.fvap.gov

DoD Press Release: http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13920 .

To follow Senator Roberts on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SenPatRoberts , on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SenPatRoberts , and to watch Senator Roberts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/SenPatRoberts .

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