For the third time in four years the House of Representatives passed a bill last week to permanently repeal the estate tax. The irresponsible and dangerous bill (H.R. 8) will cost $290 billion over the next 10 years but hidden within it are astronomically higher costs after the first decade. The House passed H.R. 8, sponsored by Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-MO), by a vote of 272-162, with 42 Democrats and all but one Republican supporting the bill. The tally showed little change from the last House vote on estate tax repeal. In 2003, a bill passed 264-163, with 41 Democrats supporting it.

On Feb. 15, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) notified a Liberty City, FL, church that it is under investigation for engaging in partisan political activity. The investigation stems from an October 2004 appearance at a service by Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (D-MA). If the church is found to have engaged in prohibited political activity, it could lose its tax-exempt status.

Under orders from a federal court to reconsider its exemption of Internet communications from campaign finance regulations, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) proposed new rules on March 24, seeking public comment on a variety of issues. The proposed rules, which provide more questions than answers, were preceded by an outcry from bloggers, members of Congress and others concerned about possible over-regulation of Internet political activity. Comments are due in late May and a public hearing will be held in later June.

President Bush's Advisory Panel on Tax Reform has hit the road over the past month and a half holding six public meetings in their efforts to reform the country's tax code. The panel, which will submit suggestions to Treasury Secretary John Snow by July 31, has heard testimony from a variety of experts. The panel is charged with reforming the federal tax code to make it simpler, fairer, and more conducive to economic growth and job creation.