5/5/00

Taxpayers Salute State Rep. Ken Pruitt
Leadership Earns Him National Recognition

WASHINGTON - Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) announced today that Florida State Representative Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie) would receive the prestigious "Hero of the Taxpayer" award for his work this session.

Representative Pruitt has been a champion of public sector pension reform, which would simultaneously give public sector employees a better retirement and save Florida taxpayer dollars.  He has skillfully guided his reform proposal through the state legislature, and his leadership on this issue has earned him national recognition.

ATR has also nominated Pruitt for the American Legislative Exchange Council's "ALEC Legislator of the Year."

"Representative Pruitt has not only been a hero to Florida taxpayers," said Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, "he has been a national leader, boldly paving the way for similar reforms across the country."

"We live in an era of public servants following polls, so it's good to know there are still some leaders in public life," added Damon Ansell, ATR's Vice President of Policy.  "Because Ken Pruitt has been such a bold leader, and because his reforms will better the lives of millions of Floridians, he has earned the title 'Hero of the Taxpayer.'"

ALEC's Legislator of the Year award will be presented at their annual meeting, which will be June 25-July 30, 2000.

"ATR is proud to nominate Representative Pruitt for Legislator of the Year," said Norquist.  "His leadership deserves recognition.