Ogonowski Stands for Taxpayers
Tsongas refuses to rule out tax hikes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jim Ogonowski, a Republican vying for Massachusetts’s 5th Congressional District seat, is the only candidate in the special election to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). 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."
“America needs leaders who are committed to protecting the taxpayers. Pledging to protect their constituents from tax hikes demonstrates that kind of leadership,” said Grover Norquist, taxpayer advocate and president of ATR. “It’s disappointing to see that not every candidate is as dedicated to protecting taxpayers’ wallets as Jim Ogonowski.”
If the tax cuts are not made permanent, millions of Americans will experience huge tax increases starting in 2011. According to the Treasury Department, a family of four with two children earning $50,000 annual income today ($55,100 in 2011) would see a $2,145 INCREASE (from $1,383 to $3,527) or 155 percent higher tax bill after the tax cuts expire while 26 million small business owners would see their taxes increase by roughly $3,960.
“One of the most important questions Massachusetts voters should ask any candidate is: Have you signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge?” continued Norquist. “If not, why won’t you take the pledge to protect our wallets? This is the fundamental difference between Jim Ogonowski and Niki Tsongas.”