Topic: Tax Provisions

The final version of the Republican tax bill includes dropping the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and repealing the Obamacare individual mandate. Critics argue the bill favors the wealthy, while proponents claim it will spur economic growth. The hosts discuss the "disappearing ink" of middle-class tax cuts that are scheduled to sunset in 2025 or 2027.

A breakdown of the 2013 federal climate change budget reveals $22 billion in total expenditures. Key categories include $2.4 billion for the Global Change Research Program, $5.7 billion for clean energy technology, and $5 billion in energy tax provisions. The hosts describe the spending as a "gravy train" for researchers and companies that may not actually reduce greenhouse gases.