3-15-05

MS State Senator Alan Nunnelee

Senator Alan Nunnelee single-handedly killed a tax increase by not allowing it for a vote in his committee.

WA State Senate

Washington State Senators voted to further weaken I-601, the state’s tax and expenditure limitation passed by voters in 1993.  They then went even further and passed a budget that does not even take into account the spending limit.

2-15-05

FL State Pledge Signers

Florida Pledge signers have consistently stood up for the taxpayers in their state, and have not raised taxes for years.

VA Governor Mark Warner and Senator John Chichester

Virginia Governor Warner and Senator Chichester insulted taxpayers by blasting pro-taxpayer legislators’ efforts to let taxpayers keep their hard-earned money as ‘creating an entitlement’ and called last year’s freeze on the car tax phase-out an ‘accomplishement’

1-15-05

IN Pledge signer and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jeff Espich

Representative Espich rejected tax increases as an option to balance Indiana’s budget unlike Governor Mitch Daniels and

MD Legislators who overrode Governor Ehrlich’s veto of $400 million tax increase

The Maryland General Assembly voted to override Governor Ehrlich’s veto of a 2% tax on HMO premiums, amounting to a tax increase of $400 million over the next five years.

12-15-04

VAState Delegate Jeff Frederick and like-minded legislators

Del. Frederick introduced a bill to finally end car tax. The car tax phase out was frozen and was part of the biggest tax increase in the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia  that was passed earlier this year.

Chicago Mayor

Richard Daley

Daley pushed a $85.7 million tax and fee increase package, which touches almost every aspect of personal and professional life in the city.

11-15-04

U.S. Senator John Thune

Sen. John Thune took on and defeated U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, whose record in the Senate had been largely anti-taxpayer. Thune, a former U.S. Representative, is known for his pro-taxpayer record. For example, in 2000, Daschle voted against eliminating the marriage penalty, repealing the death tax and against tax cuts in the budget resolution. Meanwhile, Thune voted for the taxpayer on all of these issues.

KS Governor Sebelius

Governor Sebelius proposed a 50 cents per pack  tax increase on cigarettes and a 5 percent tax increase on other tobacco products to fund increased state spending.

10-15-04

President George W. Bush

President Bush has made good on his promise and signed into law  four tax cuts during his first four years in office.

U.S. Senator John Kerry

Presidential candidate John Kerry has a record of voting to raise taxes on Americans and put forth tax and spending proposals that would cripple the economy and hurt small businesses and families alike.

9-15-04

Mary Adams, Activist in ME

Mary Adams has taken the lead in pushing for a TABOR amendment in Maine.

WI Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer (Panzer was defeated by Pledge signer Glenn Grothmann in the primary)

According to a local paper, Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer stalled efforts to push for a TABOR amendment in the Wisconsin Senate.   Her last minute rhetoric in support of TABOR before the September primary thus  seemed like sheer politics.

8-15-04

Leaders of Center-Right Coalition Meetings

54 leaders have consistently worked to keep legislators in line and to prevent raids on taxpayer’s wallets.

NC Governor Mike Easley

Easley reneged on his campaign promise not to raise taxes, and proposed a ‘temporary’ one percent sales tax increase. The budget he signed later included two tax increases: ½% sales tax increase, ½% income tax increase for those in the highest income bracket.

7-15-04

Michigan House

House Commerce Committee Chairman        Clark Bisbee

Rep. Bisbee has consistently rejected all tax increases.

6-15-04

Governor Granholm and Michigan Legislature

Governor Granholm and  big spenders in the Legislature turn a 75 cents per pack cigarette tax increase into law.

5-15-04

Kansas Senate

Tim Huelskamp,

Kay O’Connor

Ed Pugh

Bob Lyon

While 26 Senators cast the right vote in the case of SB 393-a compromise plan to fund education after refusing to accept an earlier House proposal to increase taxs by $155 million-these four Senators have a long-standing record of defending Kansa’s taxpayers.

Michigan House 

De Rosett, Steil,

Ehart, Pappageorge,

Johnson, Robertson, Milosch

The Michigan House Representatives rejected Gov. Granholm’s tobacco tax plan, but approves legislation that would double the tax from 19% to 36% on Detroit casinos and make it easier to tax internet purchases.

4-15-04

Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd and Florida Rep. Bev Kilmer

Speaker Johnnie Byrd led the fight for a constitutional limit on spending growth and a supermajority requirement to raise taxes, which passed the House on April 15.  Rep. Bev Kilmer is the leading champion of a sales tax holiday in Florida, easing the burden on working families as children go back to school.

3-15-04

Gov. Craig Benson of New Hampshire and Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota

Two of the top governors in the country.  Gov. Benson has steadfastly refused to consider tax increases, recently promising to veto proposed hikes in the tobacco tax and death tax.  Gov. Pawlenty closed a $4.2 billion deficit last year to balance his budget last year without new taxes, and he continued his no tax increase policy this year, despite pressure for new revenue.

The 17 GOP Virginia delegates who paved the way to a massive tax increase in the Commonwealth

By opening the door to “compromise” on the tax issue, these 17 GOP defectors started a race to higher and higher tax increase levels.  The process isn’t over yet, but Virginia looks likely to suffer a large tax increase this year, largely due to these 17 defectors.

02-15-04

Virginia State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli and John Taylor, President, Virginia Institute for Public Policy

As Sen. Chichester blindsided Republican opponents of Gov. Warner’s tax hike with an even bigger tax proposal, and as the House of Delegates backed off its firm no-new-tax stand, Cuccinelli and Taylor stayed true to their beliefs.  Cuccinelli from his perch in public office, and Taylor working with private coalitions, are leading the fight to stop a damaging tax increase.

Virginia State Sen. John Chichester

As powerful GOP Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, he introduced a tax increase package more than twice as big as Gov. Warner’s plan (a previous winner of Enemy of the Taxpayer), raiding taxpayers’ wallets and undermining the positions of his fellow Republicans

01-15-04

The Killington, Vermont Select Board

For demonstrating to the nation the destructiveness of oppressive taxation and the need for state tax competition by threatening to secede from Vermont and join low-tax New Hampshire.

U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia Lawrence Butler

For spending U.S. taxpayer money to fund a far Left agenda in little, conservative Macedonia.  His embassy has sponsored graphic billboards in Macedonia which depict and promote homosexuality in that traditional, predominantly Orthodox and Muslim nation.

12-15-03

Jason Williams, Executive Director of the Taxpayer Association of Oregon

After an $800 million tax hike was rammed through the legislature without debate, Jason Williams led the successful fight to place a repeal measure on the ballot for Feb. 3rd.

Gov. Mark Warner (D) of Virginia

Proposed a $500 billion tax increase disguised as “reform.”  Plan would raise the sales tax by one cent, raise the cigarette tax by ten times, and raise taxes on income, small business, and seniors.  The plan attempts to “buy off” politically-favored groups with targeted reductions in limited areas.

11-15-03

New Mexico Rep. Joe Thompson (R-Bernalillo)

When blue ribbon “tax reform” commission came back with recommendations, the reforms added complexity to the code…and raised taxes by a net $150 million per year.  Rep. Thompson organized his conference into a solid block of opposition, which killed the measure before it got off the ground.

The New Mexico Tax Reform Commission

Though supposedly shielded from politics and able to craft a sound, modern code to promote growth in the 21st century, the commission crafted a plan of hand-outs to politically-favored groups and hits to unfavored groups.  And hoped to burden the people of New Mexico with an extra $150 million of taxes annually.

10-15-03

Pennsylvania Sen. Charlie Dent (R-Lehigh)

The Republican leadership of the PA House cut a deal with Gov. Rendell (D) to raise taxes by over $1 billion.  At the same time, the House loaded up its bill with pork for House members.  Sen. Dent stripped out in committee $307 million of spending increases passed by the House, saving taxpayer money and demonstrating that the House had chosen tax hikes over spending restraint.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D)

For continuing to push for tax increases in order to build a slush fund to pay off his cronies.  Eh even vetoed the state’s education funding bill in order to apply more pressure to legislators to support his tax hikes.

9-15-03

Marty Connors, Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party

Marty Connors stood up for the low-tax principles of the Republican Party and took on the Republican governor and Republican legislators to help lead the effort to kill Gov. Riley’s tax hike.  Mr. Connor’s early and effective stand helped seal the defeat by a wide margin.

Paul Hubbard, President of the Alabama Education Association (the state teachers union)

Paul Hubbard pulled out all the stops, including a mis-information  campaign to try to scare Alabama voters into accepting Bob Riley’s job-killing tax increase.  All to fund the continued gravy train of Alabama’s education establishment.

8-15-03

John Giles, President, Christian Coalition of Alabama

In response  to Gov. Bob Riley’s proposal to raise taxes by $1.2 billion, and to do so  in the name of Christianity and social justice, John Giles organized the grassroots opposition and took considerable criticism at the state and national level.  When the head of the national Christian Coalition came out in favor of the tax hike, Giles stood firm with the families of Alabama.

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (R)

For trying to raise taxes on his relatively poor state by $1.2 billion dollars, for threatening to fire state troopers and release prisoners if it was not approved, and for trying to guilt Alabamians into supporting the plan by calling it the “Christian” thing to do.

5-15-03

Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R-VA, district 31)

Consistently worked to advance the interests of taxpayers, such as by opposing the sales tax referendum (2002) and supporting repeal of Virginia’s death tax.  Del. Lingamfelter also supports finishing the phase-out of the car tax.

4-15-03

Congressman DeMint

Only member of Transportation Committee to refuse to sign a letter to House leadershiop demanding a federal gas tax increase

3-15-03

MA Gov. Mitt Romney

Holding out against tax increases and asked (and received, and used) emergency powers to cut spending drastically

VA Gov. Mark Warner,

NV Gov. Kenny Guinn

Warner vetoed death tax repeal; Guinn proposed $1B in tax increases

2-15-03

NH Gov. Craig Benson

Benson’s budget released 2/13/03 includes no tax increases, $150M in property tax cuts, malpractice reform

NJ Gov. Jim McGreevey

Tax increase package as part of his budget would affect hotels, motels, cigarettes, casinos, and property taxes

1-15-03

CO Gov. Bill Owens

Budget 1/16/03 includes no tax increases

DE Gov. Ruth Ann Minner

Budget includes tax increases on cigarettes and corporate franchises

12-15-02

WA Gov. Gary Locke

Presenting no-new-tax highway budget, despite pressure

OH Gov. Bob Taft

For saying 12/19 that budget next year will require a tax increase

11-15-02

NH Gov.-elect Craig Benson

For promising to reign in spending, despite state agencies asking for avg. 13% increases.

WA Gov. Gary Locke

For supporting tax increases as a means to resolve his state’s spending shortfall next year.

10-15-02

Maryland defenders of taxpayers:

John Ports, Janet Greenip, Martha Klima, Adelaide Eckardt, Alex Mooney, Andrew Harris, Nancy Jacobs, Herb McMillan, Bob Adams

For opposing $1 billion in new taxes (budget)

NV Gov. Kenny Guinn

Supporting new and higher taxes, such as the gross receipts tax for business

9-13-02

NH Republican Gubernatorial nominee Craig Benson

Opposing a state income tax.

ME Gov. Angus King

Supporting tax increases that will result in greater federal spending for ME Medicaid spending.

8-15-02

MD former Gov. Douglas Davis

Proposing specific ways that Maryland can reduce the size and cost of state government as chair of a committee created by Gov. Glendening to do so.

MD Gov. Paris Glendening

Ignoring his own commission to study efficiency in government and increasing spending 60% during his eight years in office.

7-15-02

NE Gov. Mike Johanns (R)

A realistic approach to state Medicaid spending, and appropriate spending cuts; “Medicaid was never intended to be universal health coverage” 7/29/02

Democratic Governors at NGA Annual Meeting in Boise, Idaho 7/14/02

Requesting $8.9 billion in additional federal Medicaid matching funds (passed by the U.S. Senate)

6-14-02

FL Rep. Johnnie Byrd (R)

Next Speaker of the House said 6/12/02 “we pay enough taxes already” and argued against increasing the size and cost of gov’t.

WI Sen. Maj. Leader Chuck Chvala (D)

For allowing budget  negotiations to deteriorate to personal insult, and for obstructing taxpayer-friendly spending cut solutions to the $1.1 billion budget shortfall 6/12/02.

5-15-02

TN Steve Gill and his army of income tax protesters

Continuing to fight an income tax despite a stubborn legislature.

CA Gov. Gray Davis

Proposing $11 billion in tax increases to resolve a $24 billion spending shortfall.  Abuses of power too numerous to list here.

4-15-02

AZ Rep. Russell Pearce

Proposing a TABOR-like amendment.

Gov. Tony Knowles (AK)

Proposing a state-wide income tax.

3-15-02

West Virginia House of Delegates

For passing a sales tax holiday unanimously, 2/28/02.

Gov. John Rowland (CT)

For breaking his Taxpayer Protection Pledge and signing a cigarette tax increase into law.

2-18-02

Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill

For calling the federal income tax an abomination and for working on taxpayer-friendly solutions.

Gov. Tony Knowles (AK)

For proposing a state income tax.

1-14-02

Gov. Bob Wise (WV)

Supports sales tax holiday.

Gov. Ben Cayetano (HI)

Proposes $1 billion in additional spending after 9/11 attacks cripple Hawaii’s economy.

12-3-01

Gov. Mike Huckabee (AR)

“Tax Me More Fund” for AR taxpayers who don’t think they’re paying enough in taxes already

State Rep. Matt Kisber (TN)

Co-chairing the national sales tax harmonization meeting in Salt Lake City, UT, 11/28.

11-15-01

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

For encouraging Congress to vote for a defense authorization bill including base closings

State Rep. Dick Brown (SD-R-14)

For chairing the SSTP study group in South Dakota, and supporting Internet taxes.

9-29-01

OK Gov. Frank Keating

OK passed Paycheck Protection by referendum; Gov. Keating spearheaded the effort

State Senator Gene Elsea of TN (R-Spring City)

for his efforts to question the legality of the Pledge, because he wants to create a state income tax

8-15-01

VA Gov. Gilmore & CO Gov. Owens

Opposition to Simplified Sales Tax Project (Internet tax investigation)

42 Governors

Signed letter to Congress supporting Simplified Sales Tax Project

7-15-01

Reps. Gosselin and Drolet, MI House

Internet tax: gallant fight to defeat S.B. 433

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA)

Opposed amendment to cut OECD budget

6-15-01

Speaker of the WI Assembly Scott Jensen (R-32)

Passed budget with zero revenue growth

Senate President Fred Risser (D- 26)

Passed budget with $350 million in tax increases

5-15-01

President George W. Bush

Tax Relief

Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD)

Opposition to tax relief

4-15-01

MT Gov. Judy Martz & MA Gov. Jane Swift

Efforts to defeat regressive taxes on targeted industries

KS Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer (D); OK Gov. Frank Keating (R)

Supported state-wide tax hike on WIWB radio, 3/22/01;

Signed HB 1191 into law, forcing OK to join Southern Dairy Compact

2-15-01

Gov. Ridge (R-PA)

PC Tax Free week

Va. State Sen. Chichester

Halt “Car Tax Elimination”

1-15-01

Sens. Phil Gramm (R-TX) and Zell Miller (D-GA)

Endorsing the Bush Tax Cut proposal

Sens. Rockefeller and Byrd- D- WV

continuing to prop up failing steel producers.

11-15-00

Gov. Jim Gilmore (R-VA)

commitment to repealing the car tax

Gov. Don Sundquist

(R-TN)

continuing to advocate for income tax implementation

10-15-00

OPEC

releasing a statement blaming increased prices on oil taxes, rather than on reduction in production (at OPEC summit)

Sen. Bill O’Gara

(D-ME)

raising gas tax 5 cents/gallon, raising social security taxes, raising state sales tax, and taxing girl scout cookies 10%

9-15-00

181 Members of Congress

scoring 85% or better on 2000 ratings

Thomas McDonald

Hosting Clintons’ Maine vacation without  disclosing income tax delinquency

8-15-00

Pat Hall

OK tax group spokesman

Responsible for passing car tax elimination

Sen. Chuck Robb

(D-VA)

Rep. Tim Roemer

(D-IN)

Robb: 15% ATR annual ratings  Roemer: falsely stating he never voted for a tax increase

7-15-00

Gov. Paul Celluci

(R-MA)

sponsored the Income Tax Roll Back Committee

Gov. Jane Dee Hull

(R-AZ)

successfully passing through AZ Legislature an increase in the state sales tax from 5% to 5.6%

6-15-00

Steve Gill and Phil Valentine (WLAC),

Darryl Ankarlo and Dave Ramsey (WTN)

leading opposition to TN income tax

California Assemblywomen Aroner (D-Berkeley)

Migden (D- San Francisco)

proposing Internet tax

5-20-00

Gov. George Pataki (R-NY),

Sen. Maj. Leader Joseph L. Bruno (R),

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D)

2000-01 State Budget to include elimination of sales tax on transmission & delivery of gas & electricity, saving energy consumers in NY State $150 million

Gov. Mike Foster, Jr.

(R-LA)

proposed Value Added Tax costing $1.72 bil/yr;

neglected to mention that businesses will pass increased cost of tax compliance on to consumers

4-15-00

FL State Sen. Ken Pruitt (R)

leadership in public sector pension reform

Gov. Paul Patton (D-KY)

using taxpayer funds to fly to Washington so as to lobby on behalf of higher taxes

3-15-00

WV State Rep. John Overington (R)

opposition to smokeless tobacco tax hike

PA House Min. Leader H. William De Weese (D), House Min. Whip Mike Veon (D)

PA House Democratic Caucus (funded by general fund appropriations) produce/distribute information packets critical of Gov. Tom Ridge (possible VP)

2-15-00

Gov. Paul Celluci (R-MA)

testifying against taxing the Internet

Gov. Parris Glendening

(D-MD)

opposing income tax reduction phase-out

1-15-00

Gov. Jim Glimore (D-VA)

opposing Internet tax compromise proposal

Sec. of Defense William Cohen

racking up $10,000 hotel room (at taxpayers’ expense while attending Hollywood event

12-15-99

WI State Sen. Lazich (R); State Reps. Nass (R), Gundrum (R), Walker (R), Ziegelbauer (D), Lasee (R), Grothman (R), Hahn (R), Wieckert (R), Hundertmark (R)

introducing bill: $410 mil in property tax/rent credits over 2 years, and to give taxpayers a sales tax rebate check

all nine State Rep. “Friends” signed on to a letter Lazich wrote urging Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) not to veto the bill

Gov. Don Sundquist

(R-TN)

(Sundquist also nominated and awarded November “Villain”)

proposing income tax increase, fortunately for taxpayers shut down by the WI State Senate

threatening to bring Legislature back in session in protest of Senate vote

11-15-99

Rep. Bill Archer

(R-TX)

H.R. 3081

tax cut package for small businesses

Gov. Don Sundquist

(R-TN)

Rep. Neil Abercrombie

(D-HI)

urging State Senate Finance Committee to pass his income tax legislation

only Member to vote against Cox-Wyden III (re: Internet taxation)

10-15-99

Rep. Dick Armey

(R-TX)

authoring the Amendment to H.R.2 providing scholarships to certain students in failing schools, and thereby allowing them to escape from the government-school monopoly

(See ATR Tax Ratings, 1st Session 106th Congress)               

Vice-President Al Gore

for opposing issues important to the high-tech business community, such as independent contractor legislation, visas for foreign skilled labor, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, and until recently opposing Y2K liability protection

9-15-99

8-15-99

Wisconsin Speaker Scott Jensen (R)

halting negotiations until tax cuts were discussed in the Wisconsin House

Rep. James Maloney (D-CT)

violating the Taxpayer Protection Pledge

7-15-99

6-15-99

5-15-99

Gov. Kenny Guinn (R-NV)

vetoing legislation that included fee increases

4-15-99

Gov. Marc Racicot (R-MT)

re-negging on supporting paycheck protection

3-15-99

Gov. Gary Johnson (R-NM)

vetoing a tobacco tax increase

ND House Majority Leader John Dorso (R) and State Rep. Mike Grosz (R)

sponsoring legislation that would make ND the first state in the nation to put into a law a tax on Internet access

2-15-99

Gov. George W. Bush (R-TX)

Gov. Jeb Bush (R-FL)

George W. proposed cutting $2 billion and Jeb $1.2 billion in property taxes in their respective state budgets

Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

Gov. Angus King, Jr. (Ind.-ME)

announcing that she will break her written pledge opposing broad-based taxes

proposing a gas tax hike

1-15-99

Gov. George Pataki (R-NY)

proposing 2/3 supermajority at state level for tax increases

Gov. Parris Glendening (D-MD)

proposing a gas tax hike and re-negging on an income tax cut

12-15-98

Gov. Edward Shafer (R-ND)

proposing 3/5 supermajority at state level for tax increase

11-15-98

120 House members who scored 90% or better on ATR ratings

10-15-98

26 Senators who scored 90% or better on ATR ratings

9-15-98

Chief Martin

opposing gambling taxes

8-15-98

Gov. Tom Ridge  (R-PA)

endorsing a 3/5 supermajority for tax increases

7-15-98

David Miller (KS-R gubernatorial candidate)

for a state plan to adopt the flat tax

6-15-98

5-15-98

4-15-98

Gov. Fob James (R-AL)

for signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and not raising taxes during his term

3-15-98

Gov. John Rowland (R-CT)

supporting income tax reduction

2-15-98

Gov. Gary Johnson (R-NM)

Buddy Amoroso, state activist

Opposing an increase of the tax on tobacco

Helping to defeat a proposal to increase the property tax

1-15-98

NJ State Reps. Chris Connors, Scott Garret, Guy Talarico, Shirley Turner and State Senator Louis Kosco

12-15-97

11-15-97

10-15-97

9-15-97

Gov. Pete Wilson (R-CA)

cutting the income tax $941 million

8-15-97

State Reps. Rom Amstutz, William Batchelder, James Buchy, Richard Hodges, Ron Hood, Jay Hottinger, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Jordan, Ed Kasputis, Gene Krebs, Robert Netzley, Marilyn Reid, William Schuck, Patrick Tiberi, Lynn Watchman, Mike Wise, and Ron Youn

for keeping their Pledge and voting against the Voinovich tax increase

7-25-97

Ken Blackwell (OH)

opposing the Voinovich tax increase

6-1-97

Tom Pauken (TX)

opposing the Tax Swap proposal

5-25-97

State Reps. Lee Daniels and Tom Johnson, and State Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (IL)

4-25-97

Gov. Fob James (R-AL)

for withdrawing from the NGA

3-25-97

State Rep. Jon Padfield (IN)

(requested by Indiana Family Institute)

2-25-97

Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA)

1-25-97

George Schults

activist award for recognition