Budget process reform has been a frequent discussion in the halls of Congress, with members from both sides of the aisle realizing that something needs to be done to address this problem. In fact, even the disastrous Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 created the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform to explore ways to fix the broken process and make recommendations for consideration in the Senate. Unfortunately, the joint select committee wasn’t able to produce formal recommendations.

Coming off a week-long recess and without any significant legislative victories this year, the pressure is on the Senate this week to pass the FY 2018 budget resolution, S.Con.Res. 25, which provides reconciliation instructions for fundamental tax reform. The House passed its own version of the FY 2018 budget, H.Con.Res. 71, on October 5 by a vote of 219 to 206.

The House and Senate are in session this week.

On Tuesday, Governor Rick Perry issued his first veto of the year, vetoing HB 2403, an Internet sales tax bill which FreedomWorks opposed. By vetoing HB 2403 Governor Perry has saved taxpayers and business alike from burdensome regulations and new taxes. In vetoing the legislation Perry cited that a key reason for his veto was that there was no consensus between lawmakers, tech experts, consumers and retailers.

Tennessee lawmakers are pushing SB 0529, which would force Internet retail giant Amazon to collect state sales taxes that would be passed along to consumers. Amazon has threatened not to build planned distribution centers in Tennessee if the measures are put in place; they have already left Illinois, South Carolina and are threatening to leave Texas for similar legislation.

Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) are expected to introduce a bipartisan bill aimed at increasing your taxes by taxing purchases you make on the internet.  The bill’s name is deceitfully titled the Main Street Fairness Act of 2011 – it is neither main street nor fair. The bill seeks to hurt online retailers and consumers alike, and will suppress internet entrepreneurship and your wallet.