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Smooth Transition: Tax problems for Solis' Husband

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by basso, Feb 5, 2009.

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  1. basso

    basso Member
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    Solis Senate Session Postponed in Wake of Husband's Tax Lien Revelations

    [rquoter]
    By Michael A. Fletcher
    A Senate committee today abruptly canceled a session to consider President Obama's nomination of Rep. Hilda Solis to be labor secretary in the wake of a report saying that her husband yesterday paid about $6,400 to settle tax liens against his business -- including liens that had been outstanding for as long as 16 years.

    The report, by USA Today, came just before the Senate's Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee was slated to meet to consider Solis's nomination, which had been delayed by questions over her role on the board of the pro-labor organization American Rights at Work. A source said that committee members did not learn about the tax issue until today.

    "Today's executive session was postponed to allow members additional time to review the documentation submitted in support of Representative Solis's nomination to serve in the important position of Labor Secretary," read a joint statement issued by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), the panel's chairman, and Mike Enzi (Wyoming), the committee's ranking Republican. "There are no holds on her nomination and members on both sides of the aisle remain committed to giving her nomination the fair and thorough consideration that she deserves. We will continue to work together to move this nomination forward as soon as possible."

    No new date has been set for the hearing. The disclosure about Solis's husband comes after tax problems caused trouble for three of Obama's top appointees, leading two of them -- HHS-nominee Tom Daschle and Nancy Killefer, who was to be chief performance officer -- to withdraw.

    Asked about the USA Today report at the White House daily briefing, press secretary Robert Gibbs emphasized that the nominee's tax returns are in order.

    "Well, I read the story in USA Today, and it quotes somebody that works here, so obviously we've -- we know about this story. I'll say this. We reviewed her tax returns, and her tax returns are in order," said Gibbs.

    "The story denotes that her husband had some issues with paying a business tax, and obviously that tax is -- should be paid. He's -- she's not a partner in that business, Gibbs continued. "So we're not going to penalize her for her husband's business mistakes. Obviously, her husband, I think, has and should pay any taxes that he owes. "[/rquoter]
     
    #1 basso, Feb 5, 2009
  2. glynch

    glynch Member

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    Solis is probably Obama's one big liberal. Naturally the right wingers are after her. If she goes down, Obama should appoint someone like Richard Trumka an AFL CIO official to the office. Sooner or later you don't play nice with the party of Tom Delay and Palin.
     
    #2 glynch, Feb 5, 2009
  3. wnes

    wnes Contributing Member

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    16 years may seem long, but it's 1 year shorter than 17 years.
     
    #3 wnes, Feb 6, 2009
  4. fmullegun

    fmullegun Contributing Member

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    I thought paying taxes was patriotic. :confused:
     
    #4 fmullegun, Feb 6, 2009
  5. ivanyy2000

    ivanyy2000 Member

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    So big guys and rich guys don't need to pay taxes? Now I get it.
     
    #5 ivanyy2000, Feb 6, 2009
  6. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    This is getting really dumb. They aren't her taxes and they aren't even personal taxes. I think none of these tax issues should have derailed nominations, but each scandal seems more ridiculous than the last. (Though I kinda hope she doesn't get confirmed because I don't like her.)
     
    #6 JuanValdez, Feb 6, 2009
  7. Invisible Fan

    Invisible Fan Member

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    That's a good one. :)

    Dems need better accountants.
     
    #7 Invisible Fan, Feb 6, 2009
  8. Pest_Ctrl

    Pest_Ctrl Member

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    Unless you are rich and powerful I guess.
     
    #8 Pest_Ctrl, Feb 6, 2009
  9. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

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    If you had your own business and chose not to pay your taxes shouldn't your wife (especially one that is involved in politics) make sure you obey the law?

    Whether or not these issues should derail nominations should be made on a case by case basis (and of the ones that have been publicized, this is probably the 2nd least agregious) is another question. Spouses should be somewhat responsible for these types of actions. My wife wouldn't let me get away with it.
     
    #9 bobrek, Feb 6, 2009
  10. Major

    Major Member

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    The funny thing is that the end results here don't seem to match the severity of the scandal in question.

    The Chief Performance Officer apparently had the least-bad scandal (didn't pay $900 in taxes on a housekeeper or something like that) - and didn't last long at all.

    Daschle had a confusing tax issue that's sketchy, but could at least possibly be explained away as a mistake - and he lasted a long time before falling off.

    Geithner, taking over the IRS, had the most ridiculous mistake that was either fraud or complete stupidity, and he actually survived.

    I do think this latest one is the most minor - we don't yet know how the business is handled and what her involvement is, but if it really is his business and handled separately from her taxes, it would be logical that it wouldn't affect her nomination too much. So based on the precedent above, it means she's probably out. :)
     
    #10 Major, Feb 6, 2009
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