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PRESS RELEASE FROM AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM
Contact: John Kartch ( jkartch@atr.org or 202-785-0266)

09/24/02

Colorado Senate Race Sees Battle for Key Taxpayer Vote
In Colorado's race for the U.S. Senate, Incumbent Wayne Allard reigns as Hero of the Taxpayer.

WASHINGTON - Colorado taxpayers have been lucky: Amidst a firestorm of budget shortfalls in state capitals across the nation, taxpayers in the Rocky Mountain State have been spared from higher state taxes. But turn to Washington DC, and a key Senator prominent among taxpayer advocacy groups, Colorado's Wayne Allard, faces a competitive race in his bid for reelection this fall.

"Sen. Allard (R) has repeatedly shown his mettle to the taxpayers of Colorado and all across America," said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, who heads Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) in Washington, DC. "In Washington's continuing battle between taxpayers and the giant spending lobbies, Mr. Allard has been an unyielding friend of taxpayers."

Since he was elected to the US Senate in 1996, and in his service as a 3 term House member from Colorado's fourth district, Allard has consistently sided with taxpayers on important votes, from his support of President Bush's tax relief plan in June of 2001, to his repeated support of the Balanced Budget Amendment.

Allard is also a signer of Americans for Tax Reform's Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which is a written promise from a candidate or elected official to his or her constituents to oppose new tax increases. Democratic challenger Tom Strickland, Colorado's U.S. Attorney since 1999 who is trying to oust the incumbent senator from his seat, has refused to sign the Pledge. Currently, President George W. Bush, eight governors, 249 members of Congress and over 1,250 state legislators have signed the Pledge.

And on September 25th, Sen. Allard will be honored with ATR's "Hero of the Taxpayer Award." Allard earned a 100 percent rating on the scorecard this year, which rates votes on taxpayer issues. The senator also scored a 95 for the 2001 ratings and a 95 for 2000, as well.The scorecard, ratings, and explanations of the votes can all be found on ATR's website at www.atr.org.

In contrast, Stricklan's campaign promises a wide array of new government programs-but, like many other candidates, his plan fails to mention that in order to accomplish these lofty goals, taxes would need to be hiked.

"Sen. Allard's record speaks volumes about his commitment to taxpayers," Norquist continued. "At the same time, it's dangerous to see candidates bellowing out campaign rhetoric about dozens of new government programs that sound advantageous, but without spelling out where all that new money will come from. Two words for Colorado: Taxpayers beware."

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Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose any and all federal and state tax increases.  For more information, or to arrange an interview with Mr. Norquist please contact John Kartch at (202)785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.