No millionaire surtax in Democrat-proposed veterans jobs bill

Senate Democrats offered Friday a new piece of President Obama’s jobs bill, free of the controversial millionaire surtax, which would offer incentives to businesses that hire veterans. The measure would also include job training for service members leaving the military. Democrats hope, in leaving off the millionaire surtax which has been roundly rejected by Republicans, they can gain bi-partisan support for the measure.

According to Sen. Patty Murray, chairwoman of the Senate committee on Veteran’s Affairs, the bill would be funded by “existing pay-fors,” or revenue streams. The bill would offer tax credits to companies hiring jobless veterans, with greater tax credits based on how long the veterans have been out of work. Senate Republican aides indicated the proposal was encouraging.