Harold M. Hochman

Harold M. Hochman (also known as Hal Hochman) is the William E. Simon Professor of Political Economy at Lafayette College in Easton, PA. Before that he taught at the City University of New York (1975-1992).

He was an associate of Robert D. Tollison and James M. Savarese in two cash-for-comments networks of academics. He was a key member of the Committee on Taxation and Economic Growth][ which helped large corporations and trade associations counter tax increases, and a leading member of the Tobacco Institute's clandestine [[Economists' network -- a group of academics who helped the tobacco industry fight proposed tax increase on cigarettes, and tried to counter the declining acceptability of public and workplace smoking.

Education:

 * 1957 B.A. Yale University, Economics
 * 1959 M.A. Yale University
 * 1965 Ph.D. Yale University

Hochman & Tobacco
Harold Hochman was since 1984 involved in several pro-tobacco activities for the Tobacco Institute (TI) through Ogilvy & Mather (O&M). In June 1984 the U.S. Treasury Department held tax simplification hearings throughout the country. In six out of the eight hearings O&M was active, "hiring local academicians in each city to prepare and deliver testimony against excise taxes. [O&M] arranged media coverage for the academicians and traveled to each city to coordinate their activities."

Patricia Milita of O&M reported to Michael J. Kerrigan (vice president TI) on June 20, 1984
 * "&bull; The next hearing in your region will be in New York on Monday, June 25. Harold Hochman, an economics professor at Baruch College of the City University of New York, will testify. Hochman's testimony (subject to his revision) and biographical information are attached. We are seeking media coverage for him."

Samuel D. Chilcote (President of TI) wrote in July 1984 about Hochman's testimony
 * "New York (July [sic] 25) Dr. Harold Hochman, Economics Professor at Baruch College of the City University of New York, spoke on the negative social and economic effects that would result from a change in the tax base to consumed income. Additionally, he spoke on the significant costs to society imposed by federal excise taxes on selected goods. Hochman was interviewed by WNBC-AM and photographed by Cable News Network and the Bergen County Record (Hackensack, N.J.). Reporters from these outlets were given copies of his testimony. "

Excerpts of this testimony were later published in a brochure issued by the Committee on Taxation and Economic Growth called: ''...The U.S. "Deserves to Have a Tax System Which Looks Like Someone Designed it on Purpose." '' Robert D. Tollison started that committee with Harold Hochman and three other economists (Thomas E. Borcherding, Fred McChesney and Dolores T. Martin) after that series of hearings, although it was basically an operation run by O&M / James Savarese and Associates. Or as TI put it "Ogilvy & Mather and Jim Savarese worked with Professor Bob Tollison (George Mason University) in organizing an informal committee of economists from 42 states who have collectively and individually participated in activities on behalf of the tobacco industry in the areas of excise taxation and public smoking." On January 31, 1985 M. Hurst Marshall (Tobacco Institute Vice President) sent a list of economists who could "assist TI on the federal cigarette excise tax issue" as an attachment of a letter asking to spread this information to their lobbyists. Harold Hochman was on that list representing New York togehter with Professor Kenneth V. Greene. That list was like a memberships list of the 'Committee on Taxation and Economic Growth'.

Maureen Delanty of O&M wrote on June 10, 1985 to Susan Stunz (TI) in the 'May Monthly Report'
 * "&bull; Arranged for Citizens for Tax Justice and Hal Hochman, professor at City University of New York, to testify before Representative Rangel on the taxation of low-income wage earners. This involved coordination of testimony with the subcommittee and making final revisions on Hochman's statement."

An anti-excise article called "Does the American Tax System Need to Be Reformed?" written by William J. Hunter (Marquette University), Dennis E. Logue (Dartmouth College), William F. Shughart, II (George Mason University), and Harold Hochman was published on August 6, 1985 in the Sun Herald (Colusa, CA) and on August 15, 1985 in the Globe (Dodge City, KS). 

Related Links

 * "Harold M. Hochman", Lafayette College