07-12-2025  6:37 am   •   PDX and SEA Weather

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

NORTHWEST NEWS

Nurses’ Union Warns of Drastic Changes Under Medicaid Cuts

‘The only way for the government to save money on Medicaid is to stop people from getting services’

Faith Kipyegon Sets 1,500 World Record at the Prefontaine Classic

Kipyegon, a three-time Olympic champion in the event, bested her own record of 3:49.04, set last July before the Paris Games.

Gov. Kotek Prohibits Cell Phone Use in Schools

Executive Order 25-09 establishes statewide policy cell phone use in K-12 school

Multnomah County Commissioners Fight Preschool For All “Preemption”

Proposed amendment would mean end to universal preschool program, county says.

NEWS BRIEFS

Rev. Al Sharpton Reacts to New IRS Ruling Allowing Churches to Endorse Political Candidates

While many Black churches and others have been victims of harassment for organizing non-partisan rallies, this new ruling says...

Black Education Elders Honored for Their Legacies Supporting Students

Some honorees led sweeping institutional change. Others built community organizations from the ground up. ...

Oregon WIC Updates Food List to Boost Nutrition, Expand Choice

The updated WIC food package reflects the latest nutrition science and aligns with healthy dietary patterns recognized around the...

PSU-Led Performing Arts and Culture Center Builds Momentum With $155 Million in State, City and Private Funding

The Oregon Legislature on Friday evening approved 7.5 million in state bonds for the PSU-owned community theater and academic...

OPINION

SB 686 Will Support the Black Press

Oregon State Senator Lew Frederick brings attention to the fact that Big Tech corporations like Google and Facebook are using AI to scrape local news content and sell advertising on their platforms, completely bypassing local news sites like The...

Policymakers Should Support Patients With Chronic Conditions

As it exists today, 340B too often serves institutional financial gain rather than directly benefiting patients, leaving patients to ask “What about me?” ...

The Skanner News: Half a Century of Reporting on How Black Lives Matter

Publishing in one of the whitest cities in America – long before George Floyd ...

Cuts to Minority Business Development Agency Leaves 3 Staff

6B CDFI affordable capital for local investment also at risk ...

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT

U.S. & WORLD NEWS

By The Skanner News | The Skanner News

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators get their first chance Monday to vote on the tax-cut deal struck by President Barack Obama and Republicans in a test vote that is expected to get widespread support.

But House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said House Democrats may try to change the bill to make the estate tax less generous to wealthy heirs. Hoyer stressed that he expects the House to pass the package. But, he said, House Democrats are unhappy with a provision that would allow estates as large as $10 million to go untaxed.

"I think we're going to have a vote on the Senate bill, with possible changes," Hoyer said Monday during a discussion at the National Press Club. "We may have it with amendments, we'll see what the process is."

The No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, said a "good cross-section" of senators in his party are ready to accept the deal.

Monday's vote is expected to lead to passage in the Senate Tuesday or Wednesday. The bill would then go to the House.

The legislation would avert a Jan. 1 increase in income taxes for nearly all Americans, including middle and high earners. The package also would renew a program of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed and put in place a one-year cut in Social Security taxes.

"Everybody understands what it would mean for the economy if we don't get this done," Obama adviser David Axelrod said.

"We believe that when it comes back to the House, that we will get a vote, and that we'll prevail there, because at the end of the day, no one wants to see taxes go up on 150 million Americans" on New Year's Day, Axelrod said. "No one wants to see 2 million people lose their unemployment insurance."

While many House Democrats have criticized the tax deal, Axelrod said he didn't foresee "major changes" being made by the House.

At the insistence of Republicans, the plan includes a more generous estate tax provision: The first $5 million of a couple's estate could pass to heirs without taxation, and an additional $5 million for the spouse. The balance would be subject to a 35 percent tax rate.

The estate tax was repealed for 2010. But under current law, it is scheduled to return next year with a top rate of 55 percent on the portion estates above $1 million, $2 million for couples.

The lower estate tax infuriated Democrats who are already unhappy with Obama for agreeing to extend tax cuts at incomes of more than $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples. Some Democrats say the tax breaks will unnecessarily add to the rising federal deficit. In all, the package would cost about $858 billion, according to a congressional estimate.

Axelrod spoke on ABC's "This Week," CBS' "Face the Nation" and CNN's "State of the Union."

theskanner50yrs 250x300