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Congressman Sam Johnson receives taxpayer award
By Heather M. Smith, Staff writer
Rep. Sam Johnson was recently recognized by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) for his pro-taxpayer voting record last year.
“Given today’s economic climate, fiscal discipline is more important now than ever,” said Duane Parde, NTU President. “Fortunately, taxpayers have a staunch ally in Congressman Sam Johnson, to whom National Taxpayers Union is proud to present a ‘Taxpayers’ Friend Award.’”
Johnson was one of only a few dozen members of Congress chosen for the NTU’s 2008 “Taxpayers’ Friend Award.” The award is given to Representatives and Senators who achieve an “A” grade in NTU’s annual rating of congress. The rating is based on every roll call vote affecting fiscal policy. The rating assigns a “taxpayer score” to each member of congress that indicates support for reducing or controlling federal spending, taxes, debt and regulation.
The average “taxpayer score” in the House rose slightly from 35 percent to 36 percent between 2007 and 2008. In the same time period, the Senate’s average dropped by five points, from 37 percent to 32 percent. In 2008, 48 lawmakers attained scores that qualified them to win the “taxpayers’ friend award”. Johnson was ranked 14 out of the 39 Representatives chosen for the award. On the other side, a record 267 Senators and Representatives obtained the title “big spender” for posting “F” grades.
“Sam Johnson’s pro-taxpayer score of 86 percent was one of the best in the entire Congress,” Parde said. “By voting time and again to reduce federal spending, taxes, and debt, Congressman Johnson has led by example in the fight to defend overburdened taxpayers across the country.”
Johnson has scored a “B+” or higher since 1992. Every year, for the past six years, Sen. John Cornyn has scored a “B.” He earned an “A” one year. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison scored a “C+” for 2008. In previous years, she has scored mostly “B’s.”
NTU’s taxpayer score measures the strength of support for reducing spending and opposing higher taxes. A higher score indicates that the member of Congress voted to spend less money. A score qualifying for a grade of “B” represents a “good” voting record on controlling spending and taxes, according to NTU. A score qualifying for a grade of “C” represents a minimally acceptable voting record on controlling taxes and spending. A score significantly below average qualifies for a grade of “F.” This failing grade places the member into the “Big Spender” category. NTU rates are based on every vote a member of Congress makes.
“If every member of Congress was as principled as Sam Johnson, current and future generations of Americans could enjoy much lower taxes and a less wasteful government,” Parde said. “Hard working families in the Third District and across the nation owe Congressman Johnson a debt of gratitude for his effort on their behalf. He has truly earned the title of ‘Taxpayers’ Friend.’”
NTU is a 362,000 member, nonpartisan citizen group founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, smaller government and economic freedom at all levels.
For information visit www.ntu.org.
Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com.
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