The proposal would realign the current federal income tax rates. To become law, it must still pass the Senate where Democrats and Republicans are split 50-50. Additional tax measures are expected to follow, including estate tax relief. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has listed benzene and diesel exhaust particulate matter as toxic air contaminants that may cause infants and children to be especially susceptible to illness. Once a toxic air contaminant is on the list, the State Air Resources Board is required to examine the current control strategies for these toxics and identify any further controls that may be necessary to protect children and infants' health.
Diesel exhaust is in the second tier.
After the comments are reviewed, the list will be narrowed to 5 toxic contaminants. We need an accurate head count for lunch. This is an excellent opportunity to talk directly with these key agency people. The survey has been conducted every year for the past six years. The 1999 survey had a slight increase from the year before with a sales rate of 16.9 percent as compared to a 13.1 percent rate in 1998.