Thomas E. Borcherding

Thomas E. Borcherding was born on February 18, 1939, Cincinnati, OH. He was a Post-doctoral Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University in 1974-75 and a Visiting Research Scholar at Hoover Institution in 1979-80. Thomas Borcherding is since 1983 a professor of economics at Claremont University (Claremont, CA). He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at The Independent Institute.

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:

 * University of Cincinnati, B.A. (High Honors), 1961
 * Duke University, Ph.D., 1966

Tobacco Industry
For some time Thomas Borcherding was involved in pro-tobacco activities for the Tobacco Institute (TI).

Patricia Milita of 'Ogilvy & Mather' (O&M) reported in the 'April Monthly Report' of 1984 to Peter G. Sparber (TI Vice President)
 * "We identified an economist, Tom [Borcherding], to testify against California Senate Bill 1961, which calls for excise tax increases. The agency prepared his testimony, which he will give May 2.

In June 1984 the U.S. Treasury Department held tax simplification hearings throughout the country. O&M was involved in six out of the eight hearings, hiring local academicians in each city to prepare and deliver testimony against excise taxes. They also arranged media coverage for the academicians and traveled to each city to coordinate their activities. At the hearing in Los Angelos on June 12, 1984 Thomas Borcherding held 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 Thomas Borcherding and 3 other economists (Harold M. Hochman, Fred McChesney and Dolores T. Martin) after that serie of hearings although it was basically an operation run by O&M. In a TI document it was described as "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 June 19, 1985 Thomas E. Borcherding held his testimony against increasing excise tax on tobacco before the House Ways and Means committee.

Later that year on November 15, 1985 Thomas E. Borcherding held again a testimony but this time to the California Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation, during the Interim Hearing on Tax Reform in San Diego

The TI archives also contained a letter of Mr. Borcherding sent on June 10, 1986 to the 'General Services Administration' of PMFS in which he complains about new non-smoking rules. 

In an TI evaluation of August 1986, Thomas Borcherding was considered certainly knowledgeable but he came across too professional with a tendency to lecture the legislators. They thought he could be very good before the right audience like a public debate, but not for a legislative body. One of the general weaknesses found in that evaluation was
 * "The Tobacco Institute shows up as the funding organization. The motives of the industry are called into question for undertaking such a program."

Related Links

 * ... The US "Deserves to Have a Tax System Which Looks Like Someone Designed it on Purpose.", Committee on Taxation and Economic Growth, September/October 1984
 * "Curriculum Vitae Thomas E. Borcherding"