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PRESS RELEASE FROM AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM
Contact: Christopher Butler ( cbutler@atr.org or 202-785-0266)

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Fletcher Promises to "Oppose and Veto Any And All Efforts to Increase Taxes"
Gubernatorial candidate signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge, committing himself to protecting the pocketbooks of Kentucky's hard-working families.

WASHINGTON - American for Tax Reform (ATR), the nation's premiere taxpayer advocacy group, commends Rep. Ernie Fletcher, the Republican nominee for governor of Kentucky, for signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. By doing so, Mr. Fletcher has promised the voters to "oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes."

Begun in 1986, the Taxpayer Protection Pledge has been signed by President Bush, 42 U.S. Senators, 217 Congressmen, eight governors, and over 1200 state legislators.

"Ernie Fletcher drew a line in the sand today, declaring that he stands with the hard-working families of Kentucky, and against the big-spending interests in Frankfort," said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. "Tax increases are always destructive. Especially with the current economic slowdown and tight job market, public officials must learn to make tough choices and live within their means, not raid the pocketbooks of hard-working families. Mr. Fletcher is right to come down in favor of jobs, growth, and modernized, low taxes, instead of high taxes to pay off political cronies."

Many in the media have questioned whether revenue neutral tax reform would be a violation of the Pledge. In response, Grover Norquist has stated:

"No, it would not be a violation. Tax Reform is a laudable goal. An overly complex, burdensome, and outdated tax code is one of the biggest impediments to entrepreneurship, job creation, economic growth, and income growth."

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