Maine’s U.S. senators will soon be voting on issues surrounding the federal estate tax and whether to reform or repeal it.

The estate tax was included in tax cut legislation approved in 2001, and since then circumstances have changed dramatically. There were large surpluses in the federal budget projected to continue through the rest of the decade.

Social Security had a surplus and its old-age pension fund appeared to be preparing for the retirement of the baby boom generation in the following decade.

Four years later, the federal budget picture scarcely resembles what it did when Congress approved the first Bush administration tax cut plan. Our national response to the Sept. 11 attacks has sharply increased defense and homeland security spending. Instead of surpluses, the federal budget shows large and growing deficits. Social Security is said to be threatened. And there is no doubt that short- and long-term reductions in other bedrock federal programs are threatened.

The future of federal support for child care, health care, food stamps, home heating assistance and education is in doubt. Child poverty is rising again, and these programs have become more essential than ever before.

The decisions Congress will make concerning the estate tax have to be made in the context of the overall budget picture. Votes taken this month will affect our children for years to come. We are requesting wise decisions be made not just in the short-term, but for the long run.

Elinor Goldberg, president/CEO, Maine Children’s Alliance, Augusta

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