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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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Washington Taxpayer Alert!
Lawmakers Consider Raising Taxes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) strongly opposes any efforts to increase the excise tax on beer in Washington State.

"I urge every taxpayer in Washington to contact their state lawmakers to tell them that raising taxes on beer is the wrong way to fix the state's budget deficit," commented Grover Norquist, President of ATR. "Raising taxes doesn't solve the real problem with the Washington budget - that of excessive spending.

"According to a recent study, Washington is the state with the heaviest reliance on sales taxes, with those taxes accounting for more than 63% of all taxes collected by the state. That's double the national average. The taxpayers of Washington deserve to keep more of their hard-earned income," concluded Norquist.

The following Washington lawmakers signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by ATR, thereby promising to "oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes:"

Senator Bob McCaslin (District 4)
Senator Joyce Mulliken (District 13)
Senator Don Benton (District 17)
Senator Joe Zarelli (District 18)
Senator Val Stevens (District 39)
Representative Larry Crouse (District 4)
Representative Lynn Schindler (District 4)
Representative Brad Benson (District 6)
Representative John Ahern (District 6)
Representative Marc Boldt (District 17)
Representative Thomas Mielke (District 18)

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.