WASHINGTON- Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has examined Pennsylvania State Rep. Terry Van Horne's voting record and has found that Van Horne, who is running for Pennsylvania's Fourth Congressional District, has a questionable record, particularly on taxes. 

Some of the details include:

1991: Van Horne voted for a measure that increased personal income taxes by 48%, increased corporate taxes by 24%, and applied a 6% sales tax on household products such as cleaning products, long distance phone service, take-out food, and cable television. All told, a $2.9 billion tax increase.

1993: Van Horne pushed for a 1% sales tax in Allegheny County.

1997: Van Horne voted for a $150 million increase in the gas tax and voted to increase vehicle registration fees from $24 to $36.

1999: Van Horne voted to increase personal income taxes by 0.1%.

Van Horne has defended his record on taxes saying, " Sometimes tax increases are in order..." (6/17/2000, The Valley News Dispatch).

"Apparently Mr. Van Horne has lost touch with reality.  At a time when the Federal government is reporting unprecedented budget surpluses and taxpayers pay more in taxes than food, clothing and shelter combined, Van Horne calls for tax increases," said Damon B. Ansell, vice president for policy at ATR.  "What Mr. Van Horne should be doing is looking for ways to return surpluses to the taxpayers who paid them.  His record on holding the line on taxes and cutting taxes is abysmal.  His continued opposition to reducing taxes proves that he is not a friend of taxpayers," concluded Ansell.

"During times of economic duress, tax and spend politicians demand tax increases to pay for government, arguing that services, particularly for the poor, are lacking.  Now we see a new trend-- that of calling for higher taxes during prosperous times," said Grover G. Norquist, president of ATR.  "Will the taxpayers ever get a break?  Certainly not during times of duress, and now-if we are to believe Mr. Van Horne-not even when the federal government is awash in surplus money," concluded Norquist.