Estate Tax Deal Falls ApartSenate negotiators said May 18 that a deal to cut estate taxes is on the verge of collapse after a majority of the Democratic caucus expressed concerns about voting for an expensive tax cut for wealthy families. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) told reporters that no deal was imminent - countering news reports that a deal was imminent. Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) had previously announced that the Senate was close to an agreement that would eliminate the chances of a retroactive estate tax increase and eventually cut the estate tax rate while raising the exemption levels. Asked May 18 about whether he prefers a retroactive proposal, or one with a choice for 2010, or an option to prepay, Kyl would only say that he believed there was an agreement one week ago and "that may not be the case anymore." |










