The Senate has passed a $123-billion measure that would extend a collection of tax breaks through December, including some that could benefit construction. The extensions would be retroactive, because many of the incentives have expired.
The largest item in the “extenders” bill, which the Senate approved March 10, would continue unemployment benefits and COBRA health-care coverage through 2010. Those provisions’ estimated 2010-2011 cost is $98.5 billion.