r The Washington Post  
There is a strong and growing perception in official Washington that (one way or another) this Congress will raise excise taxes, especially gasoline and possibly estate taxes, in order to help reduce the federal budget deficit. The unanswered question is whether Ronald Reagan will swallow hard and agree.</br></br>As he did again just before going to the economic summit in Venice, Reagan periodically swears a blood oath that any tax increase will be signed over his dead body. But this shouldn't be taken literally: examined carefully, it can be seen that ReaganÛªs ire is directed at higher tax rates, which means that heÛªs against new taxes on personal or business income.</br></br>In fact, the administration has already opened the door to some revenue increases with its own budget proposal for excise taxes disguised as user fees, as well as payroll and other levies.</br></br>Says a high administration official privately: ÛÏAnybody who says that weÛªre not proposing to raise $3.7 billion in new taxes is smoking dope!Û</br></br>Those excise taxes are exactly what the other ideologue in this drama. House Speaker James Wright (D-Tex.), opposes with almost a religious fervor. ÛÏJim regards excises as a way of taxing Joe Six-Pack,Û a colleague says.