Democrats Say Energy Bill for 'Hooters, Polluters'
Date: 21-Nov-03
Country: USA
Author: Charles Abbott
The catcall hinged on complaints the legislation would ease air and water pollution laws and also authorize tax-free bonds to construct a mall in Louisiana with a Hooters Foods Inc. restaurant.
During a speech in the Senate, Washington state Democrat Maria Cantwell dismissed the bill as nothing more than a gift to "Hooters and polluters."
"It's about special interests. This bill is about as bad as it gets," said Cantwell.
The privately held Atlanta-based chain has more than 330 restaurants. It features casual cuisine served by waitresses in snug-fitting orange shorts and white shirts.
A spokesman at Hooters corporate headquarters was not immediately available for comment.
Republicans said the bill, which offers some $31 billion in tax breaks, production incentives and new funding, rightly included tax-exempt bonds to help finance energy conservation projects. A total of up to $2 billion in so-called "green bonds" could be issued to pay for projects that use more energy-efficient windows, ceilings or recycle water supplies.
The Louisiana Riverwalk mall in Shreveport was among at least four economic development projects that would be allowed to issue tax-free bonds under the bill.
Keith Ashdown of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group on federal spending, said Hooters would not receive a subsidy, although construction of the mall would.
"It's an anecdote that lets people understand what's in the bill," said Ashdown. His group was critical of many of the provisions in the bill.
A spokesman for Rep. Jim McCrery, Louisiana Republican, whose district includes Shreveport, was not immediately available for comment. McCrery is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees the tax code.
