John Caruso Shows Why the Bailout Took So Long

John Caruso at A Distant Ocean:

These are a few of my favorite provisions

So how did the Senate amend (pdf) the bailout bill? What absolutely vital, economy-rescuing measures did they add?

Temporary Increase in Limit on Cover over of Rum Excise Tax Revenues to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The present law imposes a $13.50 per proof gallon excise tax on distilled spirits produced in or imported into the United States. The Code provides a payment to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of the excise tax on rum imported into the United States. The payment is limited to $10.50 per proof gallon. This was increased to $13.25 per proof gallon during the period July 1, 1999 through December 31, 2007. The proposal would extend the provision to the end of 2009. The proposal is effective for articles brought into the United States after December 31, 2007. The estimated cost of this proposal is $192 million over ten years.
[...]
Excise Tax Exemption for Wooden Practice Arrows Used by Children. Current law imposes an excise tax of 39 cents, adjusted for inflation, on the first sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any shaft of a type used to produce certain types of arrows. This proposal would exempt from the excise tax any shaft consisting of all natural wood with no laminations or artificial means to enhance the spine of the shaft used in the manufacture of an arrow that measures 5/16 of an inch or less and is unsuited for use with a bow with a peak draw weight of 30 pounds or more. The proposal is effective for shafts first sold after the date of enactment. The estimated cost of the proposal is $2 million over ten years.

But at least now we know what's been taking so long: I'm sure the laminated/composite/.375" arrow shaft lobby was all over them like ugly on a monkey.