January 27, 2003

Howard Marlowe Report

Lobbyist Howard Marlowe reports that after a week of intense and hurried political wrangling, the Republicans and President Bush claimed victory as the Senate passed the omnibus $390 billion spending bill and sent it to the House of Representatives, who will consider the bill this upcoming week.  

"With the fiscal year almost a third...over, and large amounts of beach money already lost in the process of the Continuing Resolution, the remaining 11 spending bills passed 69-29 after hundreds of amendments were offered and over 90 were accepted," Marlowe reported in his email newsletter Coastal Connection.  "The Republicans boasted that they stemmed heavy Democratic spending, while Democrats charge that Republicans hid over $10 billion in additional expenditures in an attempt to make the budget seem less weighty (and closer to the administration’s desired $385 billion price tag).  Similarly, Democrats claim the package “shortchanged” domestic security, healthcare and many other domestic issues." 

Gulf Coast E-news is a publication of Guidry News Service, with offices at 926 Broadway in Galveston and 2500 South Shore Boulevard, Suite C Marina in Clear Lake.  Call (409) 763-NEWS (6397) or (281) 334-NEWS (6397) in the Clear Lake area.  For additional information, or to order a free, one-week complimentary subscription to Gulf Coast E-news, email News@guidrynews.com.