Candidate Burghard seeks to end AMT
By DANNY HENLEY
of the Courier-Post
Web Posted on April 18, 2006

Democrat Duane Burghard, a candidate for Congress, called for the end of the Alternative Minimum Tax during a visit to Hannibal on Monday.

Burghard, following a meeting with the Northeast Missouri Labor Council, said the AMT will adversely affect over 4 million middle-income taxpayers this year. Citing information provided by the Washington-based Brookings Institution, Burghard said that total could reach 33 million by 2010.

"Why does Congressman (Kenny) Hulshof continue to support excessive tax cuts for the wealthy when the AMT is now crating an unfair burden on families with incomes as low as $75,000?" asked Burghard, who was scheduled to meet with Shelby County Democrats on Monday night.

Burghard pointed out that Monday was the deadline for Americans to file their federal income tax returns. Citing an Ipsos Poll released last week, Burghard said that 58 percent of Americans say the tax system is unjust. An identical percentage thinks that middle income families pay too much income tax and 60 percent say high-income families and big businesses are paying too little in taxes.

"Despite voter dissatisfaction with our tax code, Congressman Hulshof supported and continues to support the current administration's tax cut for the wealthy," said Burghard. "He consistently sides with big business and wealthiest of Americans, leaving small business owners, middle class and working Americans paying more and more each year."

Burghard cited plans like the Fair Flat Tax Act as potential solutions to the current tax system "nightmare." He added that proposal would still maintain protections for seniors, veterans, the disabled and the most commonly used deductions like child credits and home mortgage deductions.

This story can be found online at The Hannibal Courier