Gone all but unnoticed in the national press, the "corporate tax bill" that recently passed will contain a sizable deduction for some in the middle class. Those living in states without an income tax, such as Washington State, can now itemize sales taxes again. Persons in states with an income tax may choose which of the two taxes to deduct. The deduction, last seen in 1986, was reinstituted due to intense lobbying by these no-income-tax states, who argued that their taxpayers were paying higher marginal rates due to the lack of a federal tax deduction.
I guess the NY & LA Times missed this because it only affects fly-over country. See this article in the Seattle Times for details. Average savings $500-700.
Neither Kerry nor Edwards were present to vote.