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Slaughter, Smith
blast budget deal
By LOU HATTER
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
After weeks of disagreement on virtually every issue, Seventh District Congressman D. French Slaughter Jr. and challenger David M. Smith both criticized the budget compromise reached last weekend by President^ George Bush and Congressional negotiators.
Although Rep. Slaughter said he will “withhold final judgement” on the proposal until he has reviewed it completely, he expressed his “grave and deep concerns” in a statement released Tuesday afternoon.
The Republican Congressman, who is seeking his fourth term, said his particular concerns are the proposed tax increases included in the proposal, as well as increased premiums for Medicare subscribers.
“I have even greater concerns about the effects this package will have on the 33 million elderly who receive Medicare benefits.”
The budget compromise, agreed upon on the eve of the mandatory Gramm-Rudman across-the-board cuts, includes a one percent rise in the top income tax rate, a 12 cent per gallon gasoline tax to be phased in over the next nine months, a 100 percent increase in beer taxes, and a hike in both the monthly Medicare premiums and the deductible paid by the subscriber, from $75 to $150.
“This package,” said Democratic nominee Smith, “is the result of a strong-arm process to maneuver Members of Congress into a no-win situation. Waiting until the last
See DEFICIT, p. A-8
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