Democrats Propose Spending Increases

Democrats are offering hefty spending increases for domestic programs as they draft an election year budget plan that still promises surpluses within four years and assumes many of President Bush's signature tax cuts will die. The roughly $18 billion in spending increases for domestic programs funded by Congress each year are included in a budget plan to be unveiled today by Senate Budget Committee Chairman, Kent Conrad, Democrat from North Dakota, for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. A party-line committee vote to approve the plan is expected tomorrow. Democrats argue that their plan, which has large boosts for energy, education and transportation programs, could be paid for by closing loopholes and improving tax collections. Republicans say their promises of budget surpluses rely on tax increases on upper income taxpayers and many small businesses.