Taxpayer Protection Pledge signer Pat Meehan recently called on his general election opponent State Rep. Bryan Lentz to sign the Pledge in Pennsylvania’s 7^th Congressional District. As Meehan pointed out, Lentz has a history of supporting tax increases. In fact, Lentz voted for the 2009 Pennsylvania budget that contained nearly $1 billion in tax hikes.

We think it’s time that Lentz comes clean about his position on taxes. He should either take the Pledge or clarify exactly which taxes he would like to see raised.

This is an open seat that Cook Political Report rates as a “Toss Up” with a PVI of D+3. Rep. Joe Sestak is currently running in the U.S. Senate race against Pat Toomey.

To read the rest of ATR’s statement, click “read more.”

Bryan Lentz: What Tax Hikes Are You For?
Taxpayer Group calls on Lentz to clarify exactly where he stands on taxes

WASHINGTON, DC- Americans for Tax Reform calls on State Rep. Bryan Lentz to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge for his run in Pennsylvania’s 7^th Congressional District or tell voters exactly which taxes he intends to hike if elected to Congress. Recently, Lentz’s general election opponent and Pledge signer Pat Meehan called on him to join him in promising never to raise taxes on Pennsylvania voters. ATR has not yet received Lentz's Taxpayer Protection Pledge.  

The Pledge commits signers 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.”

“The voters in Pennsylvania have a right to know where candidates stand on the issues before electing them to Congress,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “Lentz has a history of voting for massive tax hikes and should tell Pennsylvanians whether or not he intends to raise their taxes. It’s only a logical step to assume that if he won’t sign the Pledge then he wants to raise taxes.”

In the past Lentz has tried to claim that he voted for a “no tax” budget in 2009. However, the 2009 budget contained nearly $1 billion in tax hikes including reducing all tax credits by 33%, increasing the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax, and a 25 cents per pack increase in Pennsylvania's cigarette tax.

“I applaud Meehan for dedication to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania,” continued Norquist. “Taxpayers deserve to know that the men and women they elect to office will stand on their side against the special interests in Washington. I urge Lentz to join with Meehan in promising never to raise taxes on the voters of Pennsylvania.”

For a printable pdf, click here