Key Democrat says bipartisan support in Senate for jobs tax credit like Obama proposed

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Key Democrat: bipartisan support for jobs credit

WASHINGTON — A key Democratic senator says there is bipartisan support in the Senate to pass a bill that offers tax credits to employers that add workers — like the credit President Barack Obama has proposed.

Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said at a hearing Tuesday that he supports Obama’s plan. He noted that other senators on the committee, including Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, have proposed similar bills.

Obama’s plan would give companies a $5,000 tax credit for each new worker they hire in 2010. Businesses that increase wages or hours for their current workers in 2010 would be reimbursed for the extra Social Security payroll taxes they would pay.