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PRESS RELEASE FROM AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM
Contact: John Kartch ( jkartch@atr.org or 202-785-0266)

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5/17/02

Sen. Pete Domenici Signs "No New Taxes" Pledge
Seasoned U.S. Senator pledges to "oppose any and all efforts to increase" income taxes.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Pete Domenici, a Republican representing the state of New Mexico, has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), the nation's leading taxpayer advocacy group.

The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is a pledge from a candidate or representative in any level of government to "oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses," and "oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."

Sen. Domenici became the 38th United States senator to sign the Pledge when he did so on March 7th. Currently, President George W. Bush, 212 U.S. House members, 38 senators, eight governors and over 1,200 state and local officials have signed the Pledge. Copies of the Pledge and up-to-date lists of signers can be found on ATR's website at www.atr.org.

"Senator Domenici's bold stroke of the pen on May 10th confirms that he will fight for the taxpayers of New Mexico and those living all across America," said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, who heads ATR in Washington. "Taxpayers need just three more Pledge signers to kill any new taxes supported by Tom Daschle [D-S.D.] and his left-wing interest groups in the Senate. As ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, Domenici's decision to sign the Pledge is a bold step in the defense of taxpayers and a strong signal to the leadership of the Senate that future tax increases will not be tolerated."

Norquist established ATR in 1985 to generate popular support for the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which radically simplified the nation's tax code. The group evolved to become one of the most influential advocacy groups in Washington, opposing all tax increases at the federal, state and local levels as a matter of principle. ATR supports a tax structure where taxes are simpler, fairer, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today.

"Taxes are the single most important domestic policy issue in America today," continued Norquist. "Until President Bush's tax relief legislation last year, taxes when compared to the economy were at a post-WWII high. But tax levels remain well above the historical average even with the tax cut, and more representatives like Mr. Domenici are needed to keep the government small and our tax burden under control. I encourage all candidates for public office to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge."

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Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose any and all federal and state tax increases.  For more information, or to arrange an interview with Mr. Norquist please contact John Kartch at (202)785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.