NJ GOP HOUSE MEMBERS SHOULD LISTEN TO CONGRESSMAN TOM COLE & CONTINUE MIDDLE-CLASS TAX RELIEF IMMEDIATELY

For Immediate Release:
November 28, 2012

Politico, 11/27: Republican Rep. Tom Cole urged colleagues in a private session Tuesday to vote to extend the Bush tax rates for all but the highest earners before the end of the year — and to battle over the rest later. ... “I think we ought to take the 98 percent deal right now,” [Congressman Cole] said of freezing income tax rates for all but the top 2 percent of earners.


(NEW JERSEY) – With the December 31st expiration date looming for the Bush Tax Cuts, New Jersey’s Republican House members would be wise to join with their colleague Congressman Tom Cole – a member of the House Republican leadership – in doing the right thing: immediately extending tax relief for the middle class and letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire for the wealthiest 2%.

On Election Day, the voters spoke up loud and clear for fairness. And recent polls show both the American people and small businesses do not support continued tax breaks for the richest 2%. If Congress fails to act, the average middle-class family would see a $2,200 spike in taxes - negatively impacting consumer spending and retailers, while killing jobs in the process.

“With near 10 % unemployment and consistently lagging the rest of the country when it comes to jobs, New Jersey needs middle-class tax relief,” said Joshua Henne, spokesman for New Jersey Protect Your Care. “To date, Congressmen such as Jon Runyan, Chris Smith, Leonard Lance and Frank LoBiondo have been reluctant to listen to 60% of Americans or the majority of small business owners who support letting the Bush Tax Cuts lapse for the top 2%. Hopefully, they’ll listen to a fellow staunch Republican who is prepared to put what’s best for his country and the middle-class ahead of special interests and Grover Norquist’s silly pledge.”

As Politico noted, Congressman Cole is no “squish” when it comes to Republican orthodoxy. Cole served as Executive Director of the National Republican Congressional Committee in the 1992 cycle. During George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign cycle, he served as Chief of Staff of the Republican National Committee. In 2008, Cole served as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

There’s no time to waste. New Jersey needs middle-class tax relief right now. This Saturday, December 1st there will be 4 activist get-togethers spread across the state where people can learn about the issues facing Congress over the next few weeks. Here, participants can mobilize to make sure New Jersey’s delegation does the right thing by letting the Bush Tax Cuts lapse for the wealthiest 2%. The locations for this Saturday’s sessions are as follows:


1). Toms River: Branch OC Library, 101 Washington Street (1:30 pm – 3:30 pm)

2). Montclair: Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 67 Church Street (11 am – 12:30 pm)

3). Willingboro: Senior Center, 429 John F. Kennedy Way (11 am-12:30 pm)

4). Pleasantville: Christ Worship Worldwide Church, 249 W. Bayview Avenue (10 am – 2 pm)