U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis) says high gasoline prices are making it too expensive for some people to drive to volunteer jobs. As a remedy, he has proposed legislation to "increase the amount of reimbursable mileage so volunteers can continue to help these organizations provide much-needed services to their communities."

Feingold said people who volunteer for charity currently are permitted to deduct only 14 cents per mile, compared to 40.5 cents per mile that same person could deduct if the travel were for business-relate3d purposes.

Similar legislation by Feingold cleared the Senate in 2003 but later died in the House of Representatives.        —Donald H. Harrison