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

09/30/02

Candidate Pearce Commits to Taxpayer Protection
Congressional candidate Steve Pearce (R-NM-2) Pledged Opposition to Tax Increases.

WASHINGTON - Congressional candidate Steve Pearce (R-NM-2) faces John Arthur Smith (D-NM-2) in the November elections, to replace retiring Rep. Joe Skeen (R-NM-2). Pearce joined fellow New Mexicans-Sen. Peter Domenici and Rep. Heather Wilson (NM-1)-in opposition to increased taxes when he signed the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) Taxpayer Protection Pledge in April. The Pledge commits candidates and elected officials to oppose any and all efforts to increase tax rates.

As far as the issues are concerned, Pearce has taken a strong stand against government spending. He supports a "zero-based" budget policy, which would require every agency and department to justify each budgeted dollar on a yearly basis. He advocates a tax credit for home-schooled children and opposes an increased payroll tax to provide more social security funds. Pearce also knows that the tax burden is too high overall, since "Americans pay more in taxes than food and shelter combined," and he is committed to reducing the tax burden.

"Steve Pearce has demonstrated his commitment to taxpayers by taking the Pledge," said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, who heads ATR in Washington. "He wants to keep the tax burden under control, which would allow people to take charge of their own investment and savings interests instead of trusting government agencies to do what is best. He has confidence in the voting public and has proven that with a promise to protect their hard earned incomes. Without the proof of the Pledge, there is reason to believe that these individuals are inclined to raise taxes."

In both 1990 and 1993, two of the largest tax and public fees increase to that date, could both have been prevented had more members of Congress taken the Pledge. The bill barely passed-a simple 8 votes would have swung it the opposite way-but it set the precedent for another wave of tax increases in 1993. Clinton's budget topped the previous increase and claimed fame of the largest tax increase in all of US history. This bill squeaked through the Senate with a 50-50 vote that required Al Gore's affirmation to pass.

"A vision of an America with simpler, fairer, flatter taxes is a plausible one," continued Norquist. "More and more incumbents and candidates take the Pledge every day in order to defend our taxpayers and bring that vision closer to reality."

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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.