FairTax Garners National Attention

With the recent November elections nearly at a close and with tax season only six months away, the tax debate is becoming a priority issue. Key lawmakers and activists who support fundamental tax reform and specific tax replacement initiatives are watching a consumption tax plan being reviewed behind closed doors by the Bush administration.

According to a recent article in the Washington Post, the administration is looking at plans calling for "shifting" federal taxation away from income tax toward consumption taxes. The Post reported that administration tax policy wonks within the Treasury Department are still working out the details and that their progress has been kept under wraps.

Hundreds of volunteers in key leadership positions for Americans for Fair Taxation greeted this news with enthusiasm at their first national convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta is home to Congressman John Linder, lead sponsor of the FairTax Bill. He recently won an overwhelming victory in his own heated Congressional race.

Volunteer Convention Chairman Howard Johnson said, "The timing could not have been better for this news from the administration. Our first convention was overwhelmingly successful and well-attended by key volunteers. We are looking forward to spending the year working with the White House and Congress on fundamental tax replacement."

Key convention attendees included: Congressman John Linder; Chairman of Tax Leadership Council, Herman Cain; Chairman of Americans for Fair Taxation, Leo Linbeck; President of the National Taxpayer Union, John Berthoud; Pat Wolff of the American Farm Bureau Federation; Todd McCracken, National Small Business United; David Keating of Club for Growth; numerous other elected officials, political activists, small business leaders, investors groups and academics.

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Posted 11/19/02