DC Group Backs Candidate Who Took Illegal Tax Deductions and Would Raise Taxes

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24, 2012) – Friends of Dick Lugar campaign spokesperson Andy Fisher today released the following statement regarding the latest endorsement of Richard Mourdock by a group based in Washington, D.C. that has zero responsibility for job creation or economic development in Indiana:

“While Richard Mourdock said he could back raising taxes on Hoosier families and then took his own illegal tax deductions, Senator Lugar has a proven record of fighting for lower taxes and less spending.  Hoosiers don’t want their senators beholden to DC special interests and that’s why Richard Mourdock’s hometown paper called on candidates of both political parties not to sign pledges.  Senator Dick Lugar is proud to be endorsed by Indiana’s leading job creators – a striking contrast to Mourdock’s support from DC interest groups that bear zero responsibility for job creation or economic development in Indiana.”

ATR’s Support for Lugar Legislative Initiatives

In November, ATR urged support for Senator Lugar’s legislation to allow businesses to expense rather than depreciate capital investments for an additional year.  Less than one month ago, the group praised Senator Lugar for advancing legislation that would repeal the federal sugar program – a critical issue for Indiana jobs.

Hoosiers Don’t Want Their Senators Beholden to DC Groups: Mourdock’s Hometown Paper Weighs In

Senator Lugar’s decision to stand on his strong record of fiscal conservatism and to not sign a DC interest group’s pledge is backed by the people of Indiana.  Last year, Mourdock’s hometown newspaper – the Evansville Courier & Press - wrote an editorial concluding that “the Republican and Democratic caucuses should instruct their members and candidates to not sign pledges.”

Senator Lugar Has a Strong Fiscally Conservative Record

In addition to supporting the Ryan Budget, Senator Lugar was among the first Senators introducing a jobs plan focused on creating jobs through real tax reform, controlling federal spending and regulation, encouraging domestic sources of energy, and promoting exports of American products.  “This is a plan that would work. It unleashes the private sector to create jobs and flourish. The elements of this plan should be on the Senate agenda instead of the failed policies of more regulation, more taxes and more federal spending that the Senate rejected on Tuesday,” Lugar said.  The Republican bill includes many elements that Lugar has long championed, including: tax reform; increasing exports; repealing ObamaCare; repealing the financial takeover; malpractice and tort reform; rolling back and repealing regulatory overreach; and increasing domestic energy production

Richard Mourdock Has Been Open to Raising Taxes

“Mourdock said he could back a tax hike if Congress coupled it with a line-item veto for presidents starting after the next election in 1992 to help keep a lid on spending.” (“Mourdock not supporting Bush tax increase,” Bloomington Herald-Times, 7/12/90)

Mourdock’s Illegal Second Homestead Tax Deduction

Like every Indiana homeowner, Richard Mourdock is entitled to one, and only one, homestead tax deduction.  But Mourdock took two and he did so for three years.  He says he didn’t notice he was cheating, but Mourdock studied his tax statement closely enough to appeal his assessed value – yet didn’t notice he was getting a $45,000 deduction on the next line of his bill.  Like other Indiana property owners, Mourdock received multiple ‘pink forms’ stating that reporting his homestead deduction was his responsibility.  According to the state’s Homestead Verification Fact Sheet, “homestead fraud occurs when an individual or married couple receive the benefit of more than one homestead deduction or claim the deduction on property that is not their primary residence.”

Real Jobs and Real Hoosiers for Lugar

Compare the endorsements in the U.S. Senate race based on the economic interests (or lack thereof) groups represent in the Hoosier State:

Bottom Line: Hoosiers want jobs here in Indiana and want our companies to succeed.  Those who are on the front-line creating private sector jobs everyday have stated that Dick Lugar has the right vision for Indiana. 

Dick Lugar’s “focus on helping grow Indiana businesses and putting Hoosiers back to work is exactly what we need in Washington.” – Kevin Brinegar, President of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Dick Lugar is “a proven leader with a  proven record who we need fighting for Hoosiers in Washington, D.C.” – Pat Kiely, President of the Indiana Manufacturers Association

“We’re endorsing Senator Lugar because of his proven record and ability to get things done in support of Indiana job creation and economic growth.” – U.S. Chamber Vice President Rob Engstrom

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