In the face of Bush’s new tax proposal (misleadingly billed as a “growth and jobs plan to strengthen the economy”), the Fair Taxes For All Coalition has been reconvened by People for the American Way, the National Women’s Law Center, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). A petition is being circulated opposing the Bush tax cut proposal:

In the face of Bush’s new tax proposal (misleadingly billed as a “growth and jobs plan to strengthen the economy”), the Fair Taxes For All Coalition has been reconvened by People for the American Way, the National Women’s Law Center, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). A petition is being circulated opposing the Bush tax cut proposal:

• The package of tax cuts proposed by President Bush is too costly and would do little to stimulate the weak economy and create jobs now. The tax cuts are far too large, poorly designed, and highly inequitable.
  
  
• The new tax cuts jeopardize the nation’s ability to meet its domestic and foreign responsibilities, threaten national and state fiscal stability and security both now and in future years, and inequitably distribute the benefits they provide.
  
  
• In contrast to the Bush plan, any economic package must provide temporary, short-term stimulus that is fiscally responsible and equitable. Any such package should include aid to states to help respond to their fiscal crises, and should focus on people who will spend the money now, including those hard hit by the economic downturn.

To sign on to the Statement of Principles, please contact Ann Woolston at 202-467-2317, or email at awoolston@pfaw.org.

The coalition met in DC on January 16. OMB Watch is a member of the steering committee for FTFA and will keep you advised of a website address and other actions by the FTFA coalition. Currently there are three workgroups, including legislative, communications and grassroots.

It is important to oppose any economic stimulus plan if it is not temporary and targeted to those in need (who will be most likely to spend), and does not provide assistance to states. See OMB Watch’s chart comparing the President’s plan to some other Congressional economic stimulus plans and non-congressional economic stimulus plans that have been proposed. More information on the economic stimulus debate can be found at the Institute for America’s Future economic stimulus website. For information on the state effects of the Administration's tax plan, Citizens for Tax Justice released a new report this morning showing the 2003 effects of the Bush tax cut proposals as contained in his economic growth plan on a state-by-state basis. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities also released a "reality check" on recent arguments in favor of the tax plan, which aims to dispel some of the myths that have crept up in the Administration’s arguments.