MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Lott, Bentz, Chism, Ellington, Fillingane, Hamilton (6th), Mayhall, Moore, Rogers (14th)

House Resolution 54

A RESOLUTION PETITIONING THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO WORK TO MAKE THE FEDERAL TAX CUTS PERMANENT.

     WHEREAS, each year President Bush has proposed and Congress has enacted a tax cut designed to strengthen the American economy and increase employment opportunities for working families; and

     WHEREAS, tax cuts signed into law reduced income taxes for all taxpayers, eliminated the marriage penalty and death tax, increased the child credit rebate and business expenses, expanded Individual Retirement Accounts, and cut the double taxation of dividends and capital gains; and

     WHEREAS, economic growth stemming from the latest tax cut accelerated at its fastest rate in 20 years in the third quarter of 2003; and

     WHEREAS, provisions set forth in the tax cut are set to expire starting in 2005 and will be completely phased out by the year 2012; and

     WHEREAS, expiration of the existing tax cuts will increase taxes by 50 percent for lower income families, the child credit will fall by 50 percent, the marriage penalty will be reinstated, education savings will be taxed, retirement savings will shrink and every taxpayer will face an income tax increase; and

     WHEREAS, expiration of the existing tax cuts will result in the largest tax increase in American history and stifle economic growth; and

     WHEREAS, making all the tax cuts permanent will allow taxpayers to feel more confident investing in their child's college education or saving for retirement, all while ensuring increased economic growth:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the House of Representatives requests our elected Representatives and Senators in the United States Congress to support and vote to make President Bush's tax cuts permanent.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Mississippi's Congressional Delegation and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.