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Budgets and Revenue Committee

September 8, 2008

The Honorable Harry Reid Majority Leader United States Senate S-221, U.S. Capitol Washington, D.C. 20510	The Honorable Mitch McConnell Minority Leader United States Senate S-230, U.S. Capitol Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Max Baucus Chairman Finance Committee United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510	The Honorable Chuck Grassley Ranking Member Finance Committee United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

Re:  S. 3335--Jobs, Energy, Families, and Disaster Relief Act of 2008

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Dear Senators Reid, McConnell, Baucus and Grassley:

Among the issues still pending before the 110^th Congress is whether to extend a number of expired or expiring federal tax credits.  While the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) does not have policy on all of these, we do recognize the need to act expeditiously and remove the uncertainty created by inaction.  In this regard, NCSL urges you to consider and pass S. 3335--the Jobs, Energy, Families, and Disaster Relief Act of 2008--when the Senate reconvenes next week.

NCSL supports a one year extension for the optional deduction of state and local sales tax; the extension of numerous renewable energy credits and incentives; a continuation of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds for repair and renovation of public schools; expansion of the child tax credit; and a one-year extension of expensing of brownfields environmental remediation costs.  All are included in S. 3335.

NCSL supports language to provide additional funds for the Highway Trust Fund.  An existing shortfall stands to threaten critical infrastructure projects, jeopardizes 485,000 jobs and risks American competitiveness, if not immediately resolved.  Enactment of a federal solution to this problem is necessary to preserve highway investment and provide the predictable, long-term federal funding on which highway projects and state transportation budgets depend.  In addition, with state 2009 fiscal years already underway, the projected Trust Fund shortfall presents states with uncertainty and jeopardizes project planning, contracting, employment, competitiveness and possibly puts a halt to pending projects that would stimulate the economy.

NCSL welcomes the opportunity to work with you to ensure the successful enactment of these provisions as part of S. 3335 or some other legislative vehicle before the 110^th Congress adjourns.  For additional information and assistance, please contact Molly Ramsdell (202-624-3584; Molly.Ramsdell@ncsl.org) or Jeff Hurley (202-624-7753; Jeff.Hurley@ncsl.org) in NCSL’s Washington, D.C. office.

Sincerely,

Speaker Joe Hackney North Carolina House of Representatives President, NCSL Senator Don Balfour    Georgia Senate President-Elect, NCSL   cc:  Members of the United States Senate