October 3, 2006
Sen. Ron Wyden Calls for '86-Style Bipartisan Coalition on Tax Reform
For immediate release
Media contact: Brian Phillips (202) 464-5102
Washington, D.C.—Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden proposed a "1986-style bipartisan coalition" in order to address the need for reforming a complex tax code. (Full interview available at http://www.taxfoundation.org/podcast/show/1881.html)
Wyden's comments referred to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 which brought a highly unlikely coalition of Republicans and Democrats together to overhaul the tax code.
"I really do think that Ronald Reagan, Bill Bradley, the bipartisan coalition that came together in 1986, is something that could be replicated," he said.
Wyden discussed the coalition and a few new proposals, like the "Fair Flat Tax", in an interview with Tax Foundation President Scott Hodge in the foundation’s most recent Tax Policy Podcast.
"There's nobody who can rationally argue for the complexity of this system, " he said. "If listeners weigh in on the idea that the tax code is out of hand and they want a system that is simpler, and fairer, and encourages risk takers and entrepeneurs, I think we'd have a chance to get this high up on the priority list."
Wyden admitted he faces a difficult challenge in keeping lawmakers disciplined enough to adhere to the principles of a new 1986-style reform.
"As soon as the ink was dry on that legislation," he said, "lobbyists kept trying to tuck various changes in and we started spiraling up and up and up with tax breaks which, of course, make it harder to lower rates for everyone else."
He argued that recent measures which have attempted to reform earmarks and special projects should go farther to reign in prefrences and carve-outs also.
"If we're going to be tougher on the spending side with these earmarks, let's look to being more rigorous with respect to gratuitous tax breaks, as well," he said. Transparency "is especially key with respect to tax reform."
The interview is Number 9 in the Tax Foundation’s podcast series. It’s available online at http://www.taxfoundation.org/podcast/show/1881.html.
The Foundation publishes a podcast each Tuesday, featuring an interview that sheds light on the nation’s tax system. Best known for its annual calculation of Tax Freedom Day®, the Tax Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has monitored fiscal policy at the federal, state and local levels since 1937.
For media inquires please call 202.464.5102.
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