9.17.2005
Bush Rules Out Tax Increase to Pay for Katrina Relief (WashingtonPost.com)
By William Branigin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 16, 2005; 5:51 PM
President Bush today ruled out raising taxes to pay for a vast relief and reconstruction effort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but he said other programs would have to be cut and that economic growth must be maintained.
In a joint press briefing with the visiting Russian president, Vladimir Putin, Bush declined to put a price tag on what he called the "enormous task" of rebuilding a zone of destruction the size of Britain.
"It's going to cost whatever it costs," he said.
"But I'm confident we can handle it, and I'm confident we can handle our other priorities," Bush said. "It's going to mean that we're going to have to make sure we cut unnecessary spending. It's going to mean we've got to maintain economic growth, and therefore we should not raise taxes."
(More ... Bush Rules Out Tax Increase to Pay for Katrina Relief) ¶ 11:29
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 16, 2005; 5:51 PM
President Bush today ruled out raising taxes to pay for a vast relief and reconstruction effort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but he said other programs would have to be cut and that economic growth must be maintained.
In a joint press briefing with the visiting Russian president, Vladimir Putin, Bush declined to put a price tag on what he called the "enormous task" of rebuilding a zone of destruction the size of Britain.
"It's going to cost whatever it costs," he said.
"But I'm confident we can handle it, and I'm confident we can handle our other priorities," Bush said. "It's going to mean that we're going to have to make sure we cut unnecessary spending. It's going to mean we've got to maintain economic growth, and therefore we should not raise taxes."
(More ... Bush Rules Out Tax Increase to Pay for Katrina Relief) ¶ 11:29
