NFIB calls for president to sign death-tax repeal
Release Date: 09/24/00


WASHINGTON, August 24, 2000 -- As legislation that would repeal the death tax was today delivered from Capitol Hill to the White House by a Montana rancher on a tractor, the small-business group NFIB once again called on President Clinton and Vice President Gore to drop their opposition to ending the unfair tax on small, family-owned farms and businesses.
Congress last month overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation to repeal the death tax and remove a major obstacle to the American dream for millions of small family-owned businesses and farms. President Clinton, with Vice President Gore's strong support, has threatened to veto the bill when it reaches his desk. As one of the two co-founders of the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition, NFIB has fought on the front lines for a full repeal of the death tax for years.
"While the President hides behind class-warfare rhetoric, the fact remains that millions of small family ranchers, farmers and business owners are the ones who are most hurt by this unfair and anti-American tax," said Jim Hirni, NFIB manager of federal affairs.
NFIB pointed out that not only does the death tax affect many small businesses, it also has a negative impact on the nation's economy. According to a 1996Heritage Foundation study, repeal of the death tax would lead to larger federal revenues due to increased economic growth. In addition, the Wall Street Journal reported in 1999 that 200,000 extra jobs could be created each year with money that small family-owned farms and businesses currently spend on paying or preparing for the death tax.
The inherently unfair nature of the death tax and the economic benefits of its repeal make repeal very popular among most Americans. In a survey of NFIB members, 89 percent said the death tax should be repealed. A 1999 study by the Americans Against Unfair Taxation showed that the same percentage of people think it is unfair for the government to tax a person's earnings when it is earned, and then tax it again after the person dies. The same study showed that 84 percent of people know the death tax doesn't only affect the rich, and a poll by the 60-Plus group found that 73 percent of voters said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports the death-tax repeal.
Contact: Mary Mead Crawford orEd Frank, 202.554.9000

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