Nov 03, 2011
Does Tea Party Candidate Rob Cornilles Support Flat Tax?
Tea Party congressional candidate Rob Cornilles has made it clear that he wants to extend the Bush tax cuts for millionaires like him and lower tax rates across the board, but would he support a flat tax that is favored and praised by many Republicans, including his primary opponent Jim Greenfield, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, and a number of Republican presidential candidates? Cornilles continues to talk about simplifying the tax code but has offered few specifics.
“Would Rob Cornilles support a flat tax plan that would result in a tax cut for millionaires and a tax hike for the middle class?” said Amber Moon, Western Regional Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “The flat tax plans touted by Republicans would benefit millionaires like Rob Cornilles while shouldering the middle class with a greater share of the tax burden, and Oregon voters deserve to know if Tea Party candidate Rob Cornilles would vote for a flat tax.”
Background:
Cornilles Advocated for Lowering Tax Rates Across the Board. In 2011, Cornilles said he would lower tax rates across the board. “You simplify it, by first of all lowering the rates across the board.” [League of Women Voters, 10/20/11]
Cornilles Supported Indefinitely Extending Bush Tax Cuts. During the 2010 campaign, Cornilles supported indefinitely extending the Bush-era tax cuts. [Associated Press, 8/21/10]
Cornilles is Worth Over $8 Million. According to his personal financial disclosure, Cornilles is worth over $8 million. [2011 PFD]
Republican Voters and High Profile Republican Leaders Latched On To Flat Tax. In 2011, Republican voters “latched” on to the flat tax. High-profile Republicans such as House Budget Chair Paul Ryan looking for a flat-tax champion praised the “9-9-9” plan. The plan popularized by Herman Cain launched him into the top tier in Republican polls and other GOP hopefuls like Rick Perry jumped in with a 20 percent flat tax option. Newt Gingrich also suggested a 15 percent flat tax. [National Public Radio, 10/26/11; Business Insider, 10/17/11]
Headline: Little help for middle class in 3 GOP tax plans. In 2011, it was reported that the three Presidential GOP contenders had tax plans that would do little to help the middle class. Gov. Perry’s plan would save millionaires hundreds of thousands of dollars. Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan gives wealthy Americans an even larger reduction in payments. Romney’s plan would also provide tax relief to the wealthy. [Houston Chronicle, 10/30/11]
Greenfield Said He Would Support a Flat Tax – Something Along Those Lines. In a stump speech Greenfield said, “I would support something like either the fair tax concept, you know some kind of a national sales tax to replace the income tax. We’ve got to repeal the 16th amendment so they can’t bring it back…or a flat tax, something along those lines.” [Jim Greenfield Stump Speech, Uploaded 9/21/11]
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