Joe Magruder of the AP News called me today to let me know that a correction statement had been issued for this article on the Kerry Campaign website - N.H. voters say Kerry's appeal is his ability to get elected.

I alerted AP news on Monday because of my concern for a statement in the article that refers to John Kerry having voted for the tax cuts. I provided AP News with the following info:

1.) Bill Number: HR 2 Issue: Taxes Date: 05/15/2003
Sponsor: Bill sponsored by Thomas, CA-R
Senator John Forbes Kerry voted NO.

Vote to pass a bill that would reduce taxes by $350 billion in fiscal 2004.

HR 2 Jobs and Growth Tax Act of 2003

Vote to pass a bill that would reduce taxes by $350 billion in fiscal 2004. The bill contains a provision that would exempt 50 percent of dividend payments from taxation in 2003, and exempt all such income from 2004 through 2006. Businesses investing $400,000 or less yearly would be able to write off up to $100,000 of those expenses from 2003 through 2007. Declines in individual income tax rates already in place would be accelerated. For one year, taxes on corporate overseas income would be reduced by 85 percent. States and localities would receive $20 billion for fiscal relief. The child tax credit would be raised to $1,000. Also included in the bill would be provisions to curtail the use of corporate tax shelters, including corporate inversion and expatriation. Also a provision, is included, to raise the exemption amounts under the alternative minimum tax.

Note: Before passage, the Senate struck all after the enacting clause and inserted the text of S 1054, as amended, into the bill

(Bill sponsored by Thomas, CA-R)
Bill passed 51-49: R 48-3; D 3-45; I 0-1 on 05/15/2003.

Roll Call Number: 0179 Bill passed Full Member List -

2.) Bill Number: HR 2 Issue: Taxes Date: 05/23/2003
Sponsor: Bill sponsored by Thomas, CA-R
Senator John Forbes Kerry voted NO.

Vote to adopt the conference report on the bill that would make available $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years

HR 2 Jobs and Growth Tax Act of 2003
Vote to adopt the conference report on the bill that would make available $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. It would provide $20 billion in state aid that consists of $10 billion for Medicaid and $10 billion to be used at states' judgment. The agreement contains a new top tax rate of 15 percent on capital gains and dividends through 2007 (5 percent for lower-income taxpayers in 2007 and no tax in 2008). Income tax cuts enacted in 2001 and planned to take effect in 2006 would be accelerated. The child tax credit would be raised to $1,000 through 2004. The standard deduction for married couples would be double that for a single filer through 2004. Tax breaks for businesses would include expanding the deduction that small businesses could take on investments to $100,000 through 2005.

Note: Adopted (thus cleared for the president),with Vice President Cheney casting a "yea" vote to break the tie

(Bill sponsored by Thomas, CA-R)
Conference Report Adopted 50-50: R 48-3; D 2-46; I 0-1on 05/23/2003.

Roll Call Number: 196 Conference Report Adopted Full Member List -

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I looked for the correction item in the AP News Wire, but it's like looking for needle in a haystack. Let's trust that if Joe Magruder was kind enough to call me and tell me they issued a correction, they did. He did make a comment to me about some other candidate who likes to refer to Kerry voting for the Tax Cuts. I told him I was aware of those comments. So nice of Joe to call me!

Project Vote Smart is a great source for John Kerry's Voting Record and Interest Group Ratings!