Will Sen. Pryor side with Arkansas Families or His Party’s Obstructionist Leader?

WASHINGTON, DC– On Friday, the United States Senate will vote on a comprehensive package to significantly reduce the Death Tax, extend critical tax provisions such as the Research & Development tax credit and tax deductions for college tuition, and raise the minimum wage. Previously, Sen. Pryor sided with Arkansas taxpayers by calling for Death Tax reform and to enact critical tax provisions. But now he is under pressure from Democratic Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) to oppose this legislation despite such a long record in support of reforming the Death Tax.

A recent press report from Bob Novak explained, “Reid also has made it clear to his Democratic colleagues he wants no bill eliminating the estate tax, in part or in whole, to be passed this year.” This could possibly explain why Pryor is now turning his back against Arkansas taxpayers, small businesses, and family farmers.

“Harry Reid does not know the first thing about Arkansas’ economy and how the onerous Death Tax imposes hardship on farmers and small businesses,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). “For him to try to force Senators to vote his way is an insult to Arkansas families. But even worse, Sen. Pryor appears to be convinced that he should flip-flop on this critical issue and vote against every working Arkansas family.”

Among the items included in the package that will be considered by the Senate Friday:1. A Significant Reduction of the Death Tax
2. $200 Million of Tax Credit Bonds to Finance Rural Development including in Arkansas
3. An Extension of the Research & Development Credit
4. A Tax Deduction for College Tuition
5. An Above-the-Line Tax Deduction for Teachers’ Out of Classroom Expenses.
6. A Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit

“For the benefit of his constituents, Sen. Pryor should end this shell game immediately,” continued Norquist. “Its time for Pryor to stand up and do what’s right for Arkansas families, and not the time to appease some Senator from Nevada with a narrow special interest.”