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Daily Archives: October 29, 2010

The Case for Temporary 100 Percent Expensing: Encouraging Business to Expand Now by Lowering the Cost of Investment

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“On October 29, 2010, The Department of Treasury’s Office of Tax Policy released a new report, The Case for Temporary 100 Percent Expensing: Encouraging Business to Expand Now by Lowering the Cost of Investment. The report finds that allowing businesses to deduct 100 percent of their investments now could support $50 billion in new investment.

  • tax cuts to 2 million businesses – providing $200 billion in relief over the next two years when combined with small business expensing and bonus depreciation provisions the President signed into law last month.
  • Lower the average cost of capital for business investment by more than 75 percent: Through temporary 100 percent expensing, Treasury estimates that businesses’ average cost of capital on new investments will fall from 7.18 percent to 1.68 percent – providing an incentive to pursue a broader range of investments through the end of 2011.
  • Produce about $50 billion in new investment: Studies of similar tax cuts in the past have found they encouraged businesses to increase targeted investments. Based on the results of one such study, Treasury estimates 100 percent expensing could support $50 billion in new investment, while other outside estimates have projected an even larger impact.

New GAO Reports: FEMA's Limited Progress, Major Weapon System Subcontracts, IG Oversight of ITC, FCC's E-Rate Program

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FEMA Has Made Limited Progress in Efforts to Develop and Implement a System to Assess National Preparedness Capabilities, GAO-11-51R, October 29, 2010 DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Additional Guidance Needed to Improve Visibility into the Structure and Management of Major Weapon System Subcontracts, GAO-11-61R, October 28, 2010 Inspectors General: Continued Actions Needed to Strengthen IG Oversight of the… Continue Reading

Support to Afghan Gov Employees at Serious Risk of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse

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Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction = Actions Needed to Mitigate Inconsistencies in and Lack of Safeguards over U.S. Salary Support to Afghan Government Employees and Technical Advisors, October 29, 2010 “The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) today released an audit report, 9TH Quarterly Report to Congress, showing that the U.S. government is… Continue Reading

DOT, EPA Propose the Nation’s First Greenhouse Gas and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Trucks and Buses

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News release: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the first national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses. This comprehensive national program is projected to reduce GHG emissions by about 250 million metric tons and save 500 million… Continue Reading

Kaiser Foundation: Medicare Advantage 2011 Data Spotlight: Plan Availability and Premiums

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“This Medicare Advantage Data Spotlight provides an overview of recent changes made to the Medicare Advantage program and examines trends in plan participation, premiums and certain benefits. About 12 million people, or nearly a quarter of the Medicare population, are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, the privately administered plans that are an alternative to the traditional… Continue Reading

FTC Issues Enforcement Policy Statement on New Debt Relief Rule

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News release: “The Federal Trade Commission has issued an enforcement policy statement on a new FTC rule that protects consumers by barring debt relief firms from collecting up-front fees. In its statement, the FTC says that while most companies that sell debt relief services over the telephone are now prohibited from charging fees before settling… Continue Reading