Bush, Dems Haggling On Who Gets What To Fight Recession

President George W. Bush and Democratic leaders in Congress both agree that something must be done for individuals and businesses large and small to help them- and the country's economy, which is now in a recession or is fast approaching one.

The president laid out a $145 billion resuscitation plan, but while Democrats said they foresee compromising with him- and fast, there are wide disparities in what both sides want to do.

The president said of his plan, "We need to get this deal done and get it out. I believe we can come together on a growth package very quickly."

He added: "Americans can spend this money [paid by the government] as they see fit," to help meet monthly bills, buy gas for their cars and other necessities, which will increase consumer spending and help the economy generally."

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer agreed generally that putting money in the hands of middle class and working families can help jump start the economy.

Congressmember Joseph Crowley (D- Queens/The Bronx) said he was encouraged by the president's comments and looked forward to working with the White House.

The president said of his plan, "We need to get this deal done and get it out. I believe we can come together on a growth package very quickly."

He also stated, "While Americans work hard to make ends meet, the federal government must work to keep our economy growing."

And Congressmember Carolyn Maloney (D- Queens/Manhattan) said the economic stimulus "must be targeted to working families who are working harder than ever just to keep up with rising living expenses".

As for details of what both sides are talking about, the president is proposing in a $145 billion package a rebate from $200 to $800 for individuals and $1,600 to families and couples, but it would not include individuals or families who pay no taxes.

Congressmember Charles Rangel (D- Harlem), chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, agrees the aid package must be approved quickly.

However, as he sees it, the 45 million Americans who don't pay income taxes, but do pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, must get a rebate check. Some reports say Congressional Democrats are discussing a $500 rebate for individuals who earn up to $85,000 and couples or families with $110,000 or less in annual income.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer agreed generally that putting money in the hands of middle class and working families can help jump start the economy.

Also, the Dems would not pay rebates for individuals earning more than $112,000 annually or families earning between $150,00 and $200,000 annually. This goes against Bush's proposal to place no income caps on who will get a rebate.

Meanwhile, the president spoke about allowing small businesses to write off up to $200,000 that they invest in the business, and doing something similar for large corporations, for a total of $50 billion in tax breaks.

The Democrats didn't address this aspect of the recession problem.

It appears getting a package of aid or spending stimuli that both the president and Democrats will agree on without a major fight will take quite a bit of doing. However, we believe that the problem is serious enough that it will push both sides into a compromise.

VALLONE JR. B.P. CAMPAIGN: Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., a candidate for Queens Borough President in 2009, reported raising $410,840 in the past six months, bringing his total contributions to date to almost $700,000, more than any other person eyeing the borough president or any other boroughwide race.

Also noteworthy is that the Astoria Democrat raised the hefty sum in just over a month at two fundraisers, one at the Bohemian Hall Beer Garden on 24th Street, Astoria and the second at Mayor Michael Bloomberg's residence.

Vallone still has nearly $500,000 in the bank, indicating he has done little spending on the race thus far. That's the most money available for any boroughwide candidate, according to filings with the city Campaign Finance Board.

Thus far, the only other candidates to have announced they are possible Queens borough president candidates have been Councilmember Leroy Comrie (D- Jamaica) and Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer (D- Rockaways).

"It's always tough to ask people for contributions, but I've been really overwhelmed by the outpouring of support," Vallone, who has two other fundraisers planned this month, said. "I love this job and I will continue to work as hard as I can to keep helping New Yorkers through a life in public service."

MALTESE REPORTS CONTRIBUTIONS: In his campaign for re-election this year, state Senator Serphin Maltese reported to the Campaign Finance Board that he had raised $240,000 by the last required reporting date on January 11.

The veteran Republican lawmaker said the funds raised had come from a broad range of supporters and firefighter organizations and unions, medical associations and educational groups.

MALONEY CHIDES BUSH ADMINISTRATION: People from many walks of life rushed from all over the country to help New York on 9/11, but the U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) couldn't find one person to come to New York for a hearing on helping those responders who became ill, Congressmember Carolyn Maloney (D- Queens/Manhattan) complained last week.

Maloney made her remarks at a hearing called to ask HHS officials why their agency is scrapping a plan to help responders who became ill as a result of their volunteer work at the site of the World Trade Center.

Hearing officials said they're considering issuing subpoenas to get officials to testify before the congressional committee involved.

CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION: Congressmember Gary Ackerman (D- Bayside) has introduced a resolution that condemns in the strongest terms those people who assassinated former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. At a hearing last Wednesday where the resolution was introduced, Ackerman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, said the measure expresses to the world "the outrage and dismay regarding the cruel and cowardly act."