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Sunday, October 17, 2010

In brief: A look at Bush-era policies today | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | National Politics

In brief: A look at Bush-era policies today | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | National Politics

In brief: A look at Bush-era policies today

12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, October 17, 2010

Melanie Mason

President George W. Bush left office almost two years ago, but the effects of his policies persist today. Here's a look at some key Bush decisions:

TAX CUTS

Then: The Bush tax cuts, passed in 2001 and 2003, lowered tax rates on income, dividends and capital gains. They also gradually phased out the estate tax and increased tax credits for education and retirement savings.

Citing the budget surplus of the late 1990s, Bush told Congress in 2001, "the people of America have been overcharged and, on their