Posted on 11/19/2003 5:08:22 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Agreement is near on a bill to speed logging and other tree-thinning projects that would reduce the fire danger in national forests, Sen. Tom Daschle said. The bill, introduced by President Bush and passed by the House last spring, remains one of a handful of bills being negotiated as lawmakers prepare to wrap up the year's business before Thanksgiving. "We're much closer to getting something passed than we were just last week," Daschle said. Senate Democrats were refusing to appoint members to a House-Senate conference committee, and House Republicans were chilly to Daschle's suggestion that interested parties meet informally. Last week, leaders in the House agreed to the informal talks, and Daschle said Tuesday the negotiations have been fruitful. The Senate version of the bill would increase spending on fuel reduction by $340 million a year, but the House version does not include a dollar figure. The Senate bill would require that at least half of all money spent on forest thinning go to areas near homes and communities. House leaders complained that the Senate loaded up the bill with special projects unrelated to forests.
Yes, this will create JOBS!!!!!!!
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