The Burton Blog

H.R. 4154, The Death Tax

Congressman Burton announces that he will be voting against the H.R. 4154 Bill to increase the death tax.  A statement from the Congressman below explains the perils of the proposed bill.  To read more please visit Kokomo Perspective's article "Burton To Vote Against Death Tax Increase."

"Next year, the death tax rate is supposed to be zero percent.  Zero.  Today, the Democrats are pushing a deceptive scheme that makes it sound like people are getting a deal, when in reality, they will increase the death tax by 45% in 2010.

"Additionally, H.R. 4154 would make the death tax permanent, and since its exemption will not be adjusted for inflation, more and more Americans will be roped into, what I consider to be, the most unfair and immoral tax imposed by this government..."

Dan Burton: "Taxpayer Hero"

This week, Congressman Burton was awarded by The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste as a "Taxpayer Hero" for cutting government wasteful spending.  He scored an 87 percent, while the average for Congress was 35 percent. Business Wire tells more about the award here.

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today honored Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) as a Taxpayer Hero for scoring 87 percent on its 2008 Congressional Ratings. The average for the entire House was 35 percent, and the average for the Senate was 38 percent; this makes Rep. Burton’s achievement that much more impressive. Since 1989, CCAGW has tracked roll call votes to separate the taxpayer advocates in Congress from those who favor wasteful programs and pork-barrel spending.

“...Rep. Burton put the interests of taxpayers ahead of politics by consistently voting to cut wasteful spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers,” said CCAGW President Tom Schatz. “The 2008 Congressional Ratings show that many elected officials continue to demonstrate little regard for the harmful effect a large and cumbersome federal government has on taxpayers’ wallets. Out-of-control spending reigned over Capitol Hill, leading to a record $1.6 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2009, and an $11.8 trillion national debt. Rep. Burton’s votes give taxpayers hope for the future.” House Democrats scored an average of 6 percent; House Republicans scored an average of 70 percent. In the Senate, the average for Democrats was 4 percent, and Republicans averaged 72 percent.

Burton Mail

This mail piece should have arrived in 5th district mailboxes last week.

Dan Burton dubbed "Taxpayer's Best Friend"

The National Tapayer's Union has awarded Dan Burton with another Taxpayer's Best Friend award. 

Every year National Taxpayers Union (NTU) rates U.S. Representatives and Senators on their actual votes— every vote that significantly affects taxes, spending, debt, and regulatory burdens on consumers and taxpayers.

The Taxpayer Score measures the strength of support for reducing spending and regulation and opposing higher taxes. In general, a higher score is better because it means a Member of Congress voted to lessen or limit the burden on taxpayers.