"The Senate Finance Committee says Ron Kirk, the nominee for U.S. Trade Representative failed to pay $10,000 in taxes," so says the CBS Evening News, 3/2/09.
Mr. Kirk, a lawyer and former Dallas mayor, owes the back taxes from 2005, 2006, and 2007. Cited as inaccurate is a deduction for Dallas Mavericks season tickets that Kirk says was for "entertainment expenses" related to his law firm, and failure to report speaking fees.
From USA Today: Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., who has scheduled a hearing Monday on Kirk's nomination, suggested the problems are not disqualifying."Mayor Kirk is the right person for this job, and I will work to move his nomination quickly," Baucus said. "I am confident he can successfully restore the confidence of Congress and the American people in a balanced international trade agenda."
Ben LaBolt, White House spokesperson, said Monday that "the nomination is on track," and that he expects Kirk to be confirmed.
Despite the IRS informing Kirk of tax issues more than a year ago, the payment was made shortly before his nomination was made public. Kirk is the forth cabinet nominee the Obama administration has attempted to confirm with tax problems.
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