The Republican plan could cut education spending by 20 percent over the next year and as much as 50 percent in reading programs and in the Head Start program during the coming decade, he said. Caps A spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said the GOP plan respects limits set by the 1997 balanced budget agreement Clinton agreed to, which includes provisions for school construction and to help parents save for education. They're using the same tired scare tactics they've used before. They say it shows they are making headway. Nevertheless, recent public opinion polls consistently find voters more interested in saving Social Security and strengthening Medicare than tax cuts.
Many polls also reveal a majority of respondents view the cuts as largely benefiting the wealthy.
The GOP measure seeks to reduce all income tax rates by 1 percentage point, provide breaks to businesses, ease the marriage penalty on many two-income couples, reduce capital gains taxes, and eliminate estate taxes and the alternative minimum income tax. The tax package is only one of many items on the table in the coming months. But the fight starts with tax cuts and spending priorities, which are closely tied. While nailing down a compromise on tax relief might be the most expedient way to add up the money available for spending, Republicans are divided on their strategy. Some, following the signals from Hastert, remain open to a deal.