Conference committee OKs tax cut legislation

Conference committeeOKs tax cut legislation
WASHINGTON -- Legislation to extend several popular middle class tax cuts cleared a House-Senate conference and could be on President Bush's desk within days, handing him a major legislative victory in the closing weeks of the presidential campaign.
The $145.9 billion package marked the fourth significant tax cut package that the president has championed since taking office.
The bill was considered must-pass legislation by Republicans because without it provisions dealing with the child tax credit, relieving the marriage penalty and providing an expanded 10 percent tax bracket would have expired at the end of this year.
The House was expected to take up the measure as early as today. Republican leaders predicted it would win Senate passage either Friday or early next week.
"President Bush has made it a priority to make sure that families keep more of their own money, and we intend to deliver on that priority," House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif., said after a joint House-Senate conference committee completed work on the bill late Wednesday.
Mother, baby found slainin Connecticut park
NEW MILFORD, Conn. -- A woman and her baby son -- his body still strapped in a stroller -- were found stabbed to death in a park along the Housatonic River in western Connecticut, state police said.
The bodies of Lisa Aviles, 31, and her 4-month-old son, Damion Stone, were found Tuesday night along a walking trail in Lovers Leap State Park by two fishermen, police said. The baby was in his stroller; Aviles' body was found nearby.
Police identified a "person of interest" Wednesday evening, and were awaiting search and arrest warrants from a judge.
Police have described the homicides as gruesome and say witnesses reported hearing screams.
"In my 30 years as a state trooper, I've never seen a scene that was so horrific," said state police spokesman Sgt. J. Paul Vance.
Autopsies Wednesday showed both victims died of multiple stab wounds.
Wheelchair-bound robber
MIAMI -- A man in a wheelchair said he robbed a bank because a homeless assistance center and a hospital refused to help him.
Larry Miller, 42, went into Pan American Bank on Tuesday -- an employee opened the door for him -- carrying a note reading, "Robbery put the money bag" and "1,500," police said.
Miller, who had no weapon, gave the note to a teller, who gave him two $100 bills.
Then, "when he came to the door, he suddenly realized he only had $200 and became very agitated and started cussing," said Miami police Lt. Bill Schwartz.
The man threw down the note and wheeled to a Metrorail station, where a security guard stopped him and called police, Schwartz said.
Elk rampage injures 2
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- A bull elk charged and injured two people, including a tourist who took a flash photograph of the animal from less than 10 feet away.
The 60-year-old Texas man was struck by the elk's antlers Sunday at Mammoth Hot Springs, a popular area in Yellowstone National Park. He received cuts and bruises to his head, hands and chest, officials said Wednesday.
The man, whose name was not disclosed, had walked up to the elk, took his picture and then turned his back and began to walk away, officials said. The startled bull put its head down and charged the visitor, who turned around just in time to be gored.
Later in the day, a National Park Service employee leaving a building was charged by the same bull and suffered bruises and strained muscles.
Because the elk was threatening the safety of visitors and employees, park managers tranquilized it and removed its antlers before letting it loose.
Possible missile test
TOKYO -- Japan said it has obtained intelligence indicating that North Korea may be preparing to test fire a short-range missile, in what would be the latest provocation from the communist country.
Government officials convened an emergency task-force team in the prime minister's office today after intelligence showed that North Korea appears to be beefing up troops and equipment around missile launch bases, said Shigemi Terui, a spokesman at the prime minister's office.
Media reports citing government officials said an immediate launch was not expected. South Korea said missile-related activities had been detected in the North by U.S. and South Korean militaries.
Japan's daily Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper today reported that officials believed North Korea was preparing to launch a short-range Nodong missile or possibly a long-range Taepodong.
Associated Press