Conservatives Rally Against Proposed Tax Increases and Health Care Restrictions

As the Maryland General Assembly debates whether to enact tax increases and restrict access to pharmaceutical drugs, conservative political activists from across the state will join with Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) to rally at the state capitol for less government and lower taxes.

On Wednesday, April 3rd, CSE will mobilize its members and activists in Maryland to visit with key legislators and rally at the state capitol against new taxes and regulations that will harm Maryland families. The day will feature a noontime lunch and activist briefing at McGarvey’s Oyster House prior to visiting with lawmakers. Invited speakers include State Senator Alex Mooney, Erick Gustafson, CSE’s Director of Federal and State Affairs, and Richard Falknor of the Maryland Taxpayer’s Association.

Proposals are being debated in Annapolis that will raise taxes on middle-income families and restrict access to pharmaceutical drugs. A 34-cent tobacco tax increase will harm Maryland’s tobacco farmers and convenience store workers on near borders and in the Western part of the state.

Cigarette taxes are so high that a recent Congressional Research Service study demonstrated that tax revenue from tobacco exceeds the cost of all smoking-related health care. Yet those who view government as a growth industry keep coming back to tobacco taxes because the revenue helps to finance their vision of a larger and more intrusive state government.

Maryland’s legislators are also looking for ways to address the state’s out-of-control healthcare spending. Of particular concern to CSE are attempts to cap the price, or restrict the availability, of prescription drugs to Medicaid beneficiaries in Maryland. The use of financial incentives to drive down the prices of drugs, such as rebates on particular drugs, or formularies, are essentially a hidden tax on the provision of drugs in the state. Beyond the obvious problems with states’ authority in interstate commerce, this strategy would greatly restrict drug availability and turn Maryland into a second-class state in regard to pharmaceutical innovation.

CSE activists volunteer their time and effort to visibly and vocally express their viewpoints, and participate in the democratic process by attending rallies, conducting monthly CSE Club meetings, and visiting with policymakers. Already this year, CSE activists have staved off attempts to expand the size of government and increase taxes in Alabama, Florida, and Oregon.

Contact Erick Gustafson at 202-309-3858 for an interview. http://www.usnewswire.com