Latest news with #RobertByrd
Chicago Tribune
23-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Animals running loose continue to be a challenge in Winfield
The town of Winfield continues to be dogged by complaints of animals running at large and attacking people or pets. Winfield Town Marshal Robert Byrd at the Winfield Town Council meeting said because of the continued complaints, the town is stepping up its enforcement and fines, including putting an animal down upon a third complaint. First-time offenders, when a complaint is filed through the town's code enforcement, will receive a written warning, then be issued a $250 fine if a second warning is issued. The dog could be euthanized, according to town code enforcement, if the owner is issued a third warning. 'In other words, the third strike and they are out,' Byrd said. Byrd last month reported dangerous dog bite complaints have been on the rise in town, including one in which a bitten dog died. Most recently, a resident who was out jogging was attacked by a German Shepherd, he said. 'The guy would have been mauled if he didn't have pepper spray, which he used against the dog,' he said. Another resident who was chased by a dog had to jump into a lake to avoid being attacked. Other reports have been of pit bulls attacking other pit bulls. 'We're trying to get the message out that animal owners have to maintain their dogs so that residents, including children, don't get bitten,' he said. Complaints that will be investigated include dogs knowingly or negligently running at large; in the event of further offenses, chasing persons or vehicles, barking, howling, yelping or making noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of a neighborhood, according to the Town of Winfield Code of Ordinances, Chapter 92. In other business, Byrd said the newly relocated Winfield Police Station, at 10688 Randolph St., across from the Government Center, maintains a Safe Exchange Zone. Byrd said the police parking lot is equipped with a videotaping system and police phone number so officials can provide a secure setting. Those who might use the Safe Exchange Zone would include those with child custody situations or even residents who want to meet someone with items to sell or exchange on such computer sites such as eBay.
Fox News
21-06-2025
- Business
- Fox News
User's manual to the Big, Beautiful Bill this weekend and early next week
Next week is crucial to passage of the Big, Beautiful Bill in the Senate. If things go well, the bill could be done by the end of next week. If things go poorly, the Senate may be crashing to finish the bill before July 4. That could involve weekend sessions and the cancellation of the July 4 recess. On Sunday, Senate Republicans huddle with Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough to whittle away provisions which don't comport with Senate budgetary rules. The Senate is using a special process known as "budget reconciliation" to avoid a filibuster. As a result, the bill must be fiscal in nature and not add to the deficit. It cannot include "policy." This is known as the "Byrd Rule." It's named after late Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd (D-W.V.). The process of meeting with the Parliamentarian is the "Byrd Bath." MacDonough serves as a referee to decide what fits with Senate budget rules. The various provisions which MacDonough fillets from the bill are called "Byrd droppings." Anyway, despite the cornpone Senate humor, the process offstage on Sunday is crucial to the process. What's ruled in or out could bolster chances of passing the bill – or kill it. We will start to get information about what is ruled in or out over the weekend and stretching into Monday. Those policy details will be critical. So watch for leaks and other information to dribble out beginning on Sunday. This process will roll into early next week with an initial vote to begin the process mid-week. It will culminate with a round-the-clock voting session (known as a "vote-a-rama") late next week. Then the measure must go back to the House. That's because the Senate will inevitably change the bill. The House and Senate must be aligned before the bill can go to the president's desk. And this is why the deadline to finish the bill by July 4 may slip.
Epoch Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Big Beautiful Bill Provisions That Could Be Stripped Out in the Senate
With the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' pending before the Senate, several provisions may be stripped out in what is known as a 'Byrd Bath.' The Byrd Rule, named for the late Sen. Robert Byrd ( restricts reconciliation bills, like the one the congressional GOP is looking to pass, to deal with matters related to the budget.
Wall Street Journal
01-06-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
The GOP Megabill Policies on the Senate Chopping Block
WASHINGTON—Contentious provisions related to judicial powers, artificial intelligence, gun suppressors and transgender care tucked inside House Republicans' tax and spending megabill could be struck by the GOP-led Senate after it returns to work next week. The final bill must comply with the Senate's Byrd Rule, named for the late West Virginia Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, which prevents lawmakers from using the special budget reconciliation process to advance unrelated policies. Reconciliation allows Republicans to pass President Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill with just 51 votes—rather than the 60 usually required in the Senate—but only if their provisions all have a meaningful fiscal impact that aren't 'merely incidental.'
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Is No Tax on Social Security in GOP House Bill? What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Social Security tax cuts have not been included in the latest draft of the Republican spending bill currently being considered by lawmakers. On Monday, the House Ways and Means Committee released draft legislation, a centerpiece of President Trump's domestic economic agenda. It proposes raising the nation's debt ceiling by $4 trillion, extends certain tax cuts from his first term, and adds new breaks on tips, overtime pay and auto loans. The end of Social Security taxes, as promised by the president, is not included in the bill. But instead, millions of seniors could benefit from a new bonus being considered by lawmakers as part of the Republican "big, beautiful" spending bill. Why It Matters President Trump vowed to nix taxes on Social Security income during his campaign for the 2024 election, and since his inauguration has repeatedly promised to see the pledge through. Currently, up to 85 percent of Social Security benefits can be subject to federal income tax, depending on total income. Some 40 percent of benefit recipients currently pay federal income taxes on retirement, spousal and disability benefits—not including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Stock image/file photo: A Social Security card with U.S. Dollars. Stock image/file photo: A Social Security card with U.S. Dollars. GETTY What To Know The deduction begins to phase out at a modified adjusted gross income of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. Taxpayers aged 65 and older already receive a slightly higher standard deduction. Under the proposed bill, they would be eligible to claim both the standard deduction and this additional senior benefit. The new deduction would apply to tax years 2025 through 2028 and to qualify, the filer—and their spouse if filing jointly—must provide valid Social Security numbers. Why Haven't Social Security Taxes Been Cut? Under the Byrd Rule, lawmakers are prohibited from making any changes to Social Security in budget reconciliation legislation. It is named after its chief sponsor, the late Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia. The Byrd Rule allows senators to remove provisions from reconciliation bills if they are deemed "extraneous" to the primary goal of budgetary reform. Without this safeguard, committees assigned reconciliation instructions could include numerous unrelated measures in their proposals—some of which might struggle to pass through standard legislative process. Social Security Solvency Experts have pointed out that ending Social Security income taxes could have a consequential impact on the trust funds that are used to pay beneficiaries. Social Security is on track to face major financial shortfalls within the next decade. If a solution is not found in the coming years, benefits could be cut by 17 percent in 2035, according to a 2024 report from the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of the Inspector General. Ending taxation on Social Security benefits would result in around $950 billion in revenue loss for the SSA, according to the The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), a nonpartisan public policy think tank. What People Are Saying Andrew Biggs, a senior fellow at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute think tank, told MarketWatch: "So, basically, it's a tax cut for seniors, which is intended to cushion the blow of not repealing income taxes on Social Security benefits. Eliminating benefit taxation was neither affordable nor necessary in the first place. But retirees looking forward to a big tax cut might be disappointed." House Speaker Mike Johnson, via X: "Our 'One, Big, Beautiful Bill' will deliver the America First Agenda. This has been a year in the making, and we will not rest until we get it done for the American people." What Happens Next The final draft of the bill could differ from what is currently being proposed as lawmakers. The bill needs to win over nearly every Republican on the floor of the narrowly divided House. If it passes, it will then be considered in the Senate.
