Americans for Tax Reform: HB 591, Tobacco Tax Hike, Violates Tax Pledge

Sixteen legislators have signed pledge to oppose tax increases

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a non-profit taxpayer advocacy organization, reiterated its opposition to HB 591, legislation that would raise taxes on tobacco products. ATR has notified members of the Louisiana House this week that a vote in favor of HB 591 would violate the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, a commitment that sixteen members of the Louisiana House have made to their constituents to oppose any and all efforts to raise taxes.

A floor vote on House Bill 591 is scheduled for Monday.  The following members of the Louisiana House of Representatives have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge:

Henry Burns (H-9)

Richard Burford (H-7)

Steve Carter (H-68)

Billy R. Chandler (H-22)

Jean Doerge (H-10)

Joseph A. Harrison (H-51)

J. Cameron Henry (H-82)

Dorothy Sue Hill (H-32)

Sam Jones (H-50)

Tony Ligi (H-79)

Jerome Richard (H-55)

Alan Seabaugh (H-5)

Scott M. Simon (H-74)

Jane H. Smith (H-8)

John M. Schroder, Sr. (H-77)

Kirk Talbot (H-78)

"HB 591 represents an irresponsible attempt to increase the state's reliance on an unstable and declining source of revenue -- tobacco taxes are nothing more than a placeholder for future tax increases on the general populace," says Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.

"Tobacco sales make up approximately one-third of convenience store sales. As such, HB 591 would reduce the job-creating capacity of Louisiana small businesses at a time when the state should be looking for policies that increase employment. HB 591 is a step in the wrong direction," added Norquist.

"Among the more than $350 billion in net tax increases signed into law by President Obama in just the last two years, politicians in Washington have already burdened smokers with a 156 percent hike in the federal excise tax hike on cigarettes. Piling on with another tobacco tax hike adds insult to injury. I urge all Louisiana legislators to stand with Gov. Bobby Jindal in opposition to all proposals that would raise taxes," added Norquist

Copies of the Pledge are available at www.atr.org or by calling 202-785-0266.

Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all tax increases.  For more information or to arrange an interview please contact John Kartch at (202) 785-0266 or by email at [email protected].

SOURCE Americans for Tax Reform

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