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Bush and your wallet
Here's a look at some of the president's key proposals on taxes, tuition, health insurance and pay.
November 3, 2004: 11:20 AM EST
By Jeanne Sahadi, CNN/Money senior writer

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - President George W. Bush in his successful bid for a second term issued a number of pocketbook proposals on issues ranging from taxes to health insurance to tuition relief and worker pay.

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We thought it would be helpful to outline some of those proposals, since they have the potential to affect your bottom line.

Although their passage into law is far from guaranteed, President Bush is likely to have support from Congress, which continues to be dominated by Republicans.

But he also will have to contend with the complex issues of tax reform and funding Social Security.

Both of these issues, depending on how they're handled, may negate Americans' cost savings resulting from the president's other pocketbook proposals, should they pass.

The first issue, more specifically, is reforming the alternative minimum tax (AMT), a provision of the tax code originally designed to ensure wealthy citizens pay their fair share. For those affected by it, AMT doesn't allow for any number of deductions permitted other taxpayers.

What's important to note is that under current law, the amount of income exempt from the alternative minimum tax is not indexed for inflation.

So unless that part of the tax code is reformed, the AMT will affect a growing number of middle-income citizens. The number of taxpayers affected will jump from 3 million in 2004 to more than 29 million by 2010, according to estimates from the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.

The Bush campaign has said the president would call for a bipartisan effort to reform AMT.

The second question will be how to shore up potential shortfalls in Social Security. Bush has indicated he favors letting younger workers invest some of their Social Security taxes.

So stay tuned.

In the meantime, see what President Bush is proposing to do in four other areas that could affect your wallet.  Top of page




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