Lawmakers Consider Raising Taxes

WASHINGTON - Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) strongly opposes efforts to increases taxes on malt beverages in Wyoming.

On Wednesday, January 29, 2003, the House Revenue Committee will hold hearing to discuss House Bill 12. If enacted, HB 12 would increase the malt beverage excise tax by a staggering 400%, from the current rate of $.02 per gallon to $.08 per gallon.

The House Revenue Committee will hear testimony and debate HB 12 twenty minutes after adjournment, in Room H11.

"I urge every taxpayer in Wyoming to contact their state lawmakers to tell them that raising taxes on malt beverages is wrong," commented Grover Norquist, President of ATR. "Raising taxes doesn\'t solve the real problem with the Wyoming budget - that of exorbitant state spending.

"Wyoming reportedly has a surplus of $169 million! The taxpayers of Wyoming deserve to keep more of their hard-earned income," concluded Norquist.

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

Senator Curt Meier (district 3)
Senator Richard Erb (district 24)
Representative Robert Brechtel (district 38)
Representative Pete Illoway (district 42)
Representative George McMurtrey (district 52)