Citizens for Tax Justice

Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) was founded in 1979 by labor unions and other groups. They are a 501(c)(4) public interest research and advocacy organization focusing on federal, state and local tax policies and their impact upon the USA.

Mission statement
CTJ's mission is to give ordinary people a greater voice in the development of tax laws. 'Citizens for Tax Justice' fights for:


 * Fair taxes for middle and low-income families
 * Requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share
 * Closing corporate tax loopholes
 * Adequately funding important government services
 * Reducing the federal debt
 * Taxation that minimizes distortion of economic markets

According to a Bloomberg article on February 9, 2004, Citizens for Tax Justice "is funded in part by labor unions". 

Tobacco
In the mid-1980s they worked closely together with Ogilvy & Mather Public Relations (O&MPR) and the Tobacco Institute (TI) against excise taxes. Peter G. Sparber (vice president TI) wrote on February 28, 1984
 * "The Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) is the tax policy arm of the AFL-CIO. In helping us develop our overall excise tax program, O&MPR has created the strong possibility of CTJ opposition to Congressman Rostenkowski's proposed freeze of the F.E.T. sunset. CTJ opposition to the freeze would, be of considerable help with liberal members of Ways and Means."

On April 2, 1984 Patricia Milita of O&MPR wrote to Peter Sparber
 * "Following is a summary of Ogilvy & Mather Public Relations' efforts on behalf of The Tobacco Institute during March: ... TAX PLAN In mid-March the agency resumed work on the tax plan. We made revisions to the body of the report, assisted in preparing an executive summary/introduction, ... meeting several times with representatives from the Citizens for Tax Justice."

An undated document in the TI archives, called "Tobacco Industry Labor Management Committee National Strategy", stated:
 * "Groups which support the Committee's efforts on these critical issues include: Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) - $108,000  A liberal think-tank, CTJ is one of the most respected national authorities on progressive tax reform. CTJ will continue to serve as an expert on health care financing, particularly the problems with financing reform through regressive taxes. CTJ produces tax studies and provides testimony for Congressional hearings."

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."

In a draft speech of William Kloepfer (Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Relations for the Tobacco Institute) sent to Samuel D. Chilcote (President of TI) on February 5, 1987 you can read:
 * "This has led us into a daily working relationship with Citizens for Tax Justice. In addition to the help Bob [Lewis] and Roger [L. Mozingo] have pointed out, we have aided CTJ in gaining substantial media coverage of their opposition to excises. This year they're getting our help as they focus on state tax reform, and fairness in the process. CTJ has a chapter in Minnesota, for example, and in other states has the makings of local organizations."

Later that year TI wrote in the report "Analysis of Expenditures Public Relations Counsel 1987-1988" about Ogylvy & Mather (O&M):
 * "As of August 1, O&M received $363,000 in fees for 1987. ... &bull; Agency met several times with Bob McIntyre to discuss strategy on excise tax proposals and CTJ role in the excise tax debate. &bull; Arranged and accompanied Bob Mclntyre to House Ways and Means hearing on revenue raising alternatives where he testified." (Agency = O&M)

In a Tobacco Institute list of "Communcations Efforts" for October, 1988, CTJ is listed as a third party ally of the Institute.

Personnel

 * Robert S. McIntyre, better known as Bob McIntyre, is the Director.

Contact Information
Citizens for Tax Justice 1311 L Street NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 626-3780 Fax: (202) 638-3486 web site: www.ctj.org