Karen Thurman: “over the years, I, too, have heard some small business owners and family farmers and I empathize with their situation…”

“over the years, I, too, have heard some small business owners and family farmers and I empathize with their situation and I have worked to provide estate tax relief to farmers and small business owners as we did in 1997. I am supporting a fiscally responsible alternative that gives estate tax relief where it is needed. That proposal would provide a married couple with a farm or a small business with a $4 million estate tax exclusion in 2001. Today's phases in tax relief over the next 10 years. Let me repeat the choice before us, 10 years of waiting or immediate relief. I do not want to face constituents who may lose a parent before the year 2010 and then learn that the promised estate tax relief does not exist. It is irresponsible for us to talk of relief in the future when we can provide that relief today. Over the years, I have also heard from farmers and business people who recognize the importance of a strong economy which includes paying down the national debt.”