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{{#badges:AEX}}Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) is ostensibly a an anti-tax lobbying group that pushes for lower taxes founded in 1985 by [[Grover Norquist]], whom the ''New York Times'' has called "one of the Republican Party's most influential policy strategists."<ref name="shenon">Philip Shenon, "[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/politics/10abramoff.html $25,000 to Lobby Group Is Tied to Access to Bush]," ''New York Times'', March 10, 2006. It Accessed July 8, 2014.</ref> ATR has close ties to the [[Republican Party]] and has frequently allied itself with the [[tobacco industry]].  ATR describes itself as a group that "believes in a system in which taxes are simpler, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today. The government's power to control one's life derives from its power to tax. We believe that power should be minimized."<ref>Americans for Tax Reform, [http://www.atr.org/about About Americans for Tax Reform], organization website, accessed May 22, 2013.</ref> ATR is an "associate" member of the [[State Policy Network]], a web of right-wing “think tanks” in every state across the country.<ref>State Policy Network, [https://spn.org/directory/ Directory], ''State Policy Network'', 2016.</ref>

===Contribution In 2010, ATR received $4,189,000 from the Koch-tied linked [[Center to Protect Patient Rights]] (CPPR) ([[#Funding|see below for more]]).<ref>American Bridge, [http://conservativetransparency.org/transaction/1467947center-to-protect-patient-rightsamericans-for-tax-reform/ Center to Protect Patients Patient RightsFinancial Records], ConservativeTransparency.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref> The Center's contribution amounted to approximately a third of ATR's revenue in 2010, which was almost $12.4 million.<ref name="2010 990">GuideStar, [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2010/521/403/2010-521403587-07b65925-9O.pdf Americans for Tax Reform 2010 Form 990], GuideStar.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref> The CPPR, a [[501(c)(4)]] group now known as [[American Encore]], receives the bulk of its funding from the Koch-backed funding organizations [[TC4 Trust]] and [[Freedom Partners]], and is overseen by "Koch operative" [[Sean Noble]].<ref>American Bridge, [http://conservativetransparency.org/results/?q==Center+to+Protect+Patient+Rights&sf Center to Protect Patient Rights Financial Records], ConservativeTransparency.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref><ref>Kim Baker, [http://www.propublica.org/article/the-dark-money-man-how-sean-noble-moved-the-kochs-cash-into-politics-and-ma The Dark Money Man: How Sean Noble Moved the Kochs' Cash into Politics and Made Millions], ''Pro Publica'', February 14, 2014.</ref>

In 2010, ATR has also received $4,189,000 money directly from the Koch-linked [[Center to Protect Patient Rights]] ([[#Funding|see below for more]])Kochs.<ref>American BridgeIn 2012, [http://conservativetransparency.org/transaction/1467947center-to-protect-patient-rightsamericans-for-tax-reform/ Center to Protect Patient Rights Financial Records], ConservativeTransparency.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref> The Center's contribution amounted to approximately a third of ATR's revenue in 2010, which was almost $12.4 million.<ref>GuideStar, [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2010/521/403/2010-521403587-07b65925-9O.pdf Americans for Tax Reform 2010 Form 990], GuideStar.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref> The Center, a 's [[501(c)(43)]] group now known as arm, the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation, accepted $50,000 from the [[American EncoreClaude R. Lambe Foundation]], receives a bulk one of its funding from [[TC4 Trust]] and the Kochs' [[Freedom Partners]] and is overseen by "Koch operative" [[Sean NobleFamily Foundations]].<ref>American Bridge, [http://conservativetransparency.org/resultstransaction/?q=Center+to+Protect+Patient+Rights&sf Center to Protect Patient Rights claude-r-lambe-charitable-foundation2012-4/ Claude R. Lambe Foundation Financial Records], ConservativeTransparency.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref><ref>Kim Baker, [http{{Template://www.propublica.org/article/the-dark-money-man-how-sean-noble-moved-the-kochs-cash-into-politics-and-ma The Dark Money Man: How Sean Noble Moved the Kochs' Cash into Politics and Made Millions], ''Pro Publica'', February 14, 2014.</ref> ===Koch Family Foundation Contribution to Americans for Tax Reform Foundation===KochConnection}}

In 2012, Americans for Tax Reform's [[501(c)(3)]] arm, the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation, accepted $50,000 from the [[Claude R. Lambe Foundation]], one of the [[Koch Family Foundations]].<ref>American Bridge, [http://conservativetransparency.org/transaction/claude-r-lambe-charitable-foundation2012-4/ Claude R. Lambe Foundation Financial Records], ConservativeTransparency.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref> ===Americans for Prosperity and Americans for Tax Reform ATR Launch Anti-Tax Effort in Tennessee=(2014)==

While AFP launched its PR campaign, ATR focused its attention on legislative tactics. AFP dispatched its director of state affairs, Patrick Gleason, to help the bill’s sponsors in both chambers of the legislature compromise on an identical bill.<ref name="taxsin"/> It also sent letters to members of the Tennessee House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, emphatically reminding them that ATR "will be educating constituents as to how their representatives in the state legislature vote on this important matter."<ref>Americans for Tax Reform, [http://www.atr.org/atr-urges-tennessee-legislators-support-hb-1367 ATR Urges Tennessee Legislators to Support HB 1367], organizational website, April 7, 2014.</ref>

===The Center for Worker FreedomATR Group Fights Effort to Unionize Auto Workers (2014)===

According to its website, the Center for Worker Freedom (CWF) is "a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to warning the public about the causes and consequences of unionization," a "special project" of ATR.<ref>Center for Worker Freedom, [http://workerfreedom.org/about About], project website, accessed May 20, 2014.</ref> According to a report by MSNBC, the center CWF is the recent successor of a previous ATR project called the Alliance for Worker Freedom ([[#Alliance for Worker Freedom|see below for more]]), which dated back to 1998.<ref>Timothy Noah, [http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/grover-norquist-union-buster Why Has Grover Norquist Entered the Union-Busting Business?], ''MSNBC'', February 19, 2014.</ref>

In February 2014, CWF intervened in the [[United Auto Workers]]' efforts to unionize a Volkswagen manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While Although the [[National Right to Work Committee]] attempted to stall unionization with legal measures, the CWF engaged in a PR campaign against the union.<ref>Steven Greenhouse, [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/29/business/outsiders-not-auto-plant-battle-uaw-in-tennessee.html?action=click&module=Search&region=searchResults&mabReward=relbias%3As&url=http%3A%2F%2Fquery.nytimes.com%2Fsearch%2Fsitesearch%2F%3Faction%3Dclick%26region%3DMasthead%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26module%3DSearchSubmit%26contentCollection%3DHomepage%26t%3Dqry443%23%2Fcenter%2520for%2520worker%2520freedom&_r=0 Outsiders, Not Auto Plant, Battle U.A.W. in Tennessee], ''New York Times'', January 28, 2014.</ref>

CWF's aggressive public relations campaign included several billboards and radio ad buys tying unions to liberal politics Democratic politicians and economic failure in Detroit.<ref>Matt Patterson, Americans for Tax Reform, [http://www.atr.org/center-worker-freedom-launches-anti-uaw-a8120 Center for Worker Freedom Launches Anti-UAW Billboard Campaign in Chattanooga], organizational blog, February 4, 2014.</ref> Among other things, one ad depicted the UAW as a mouthpiece for [[Barack Obama]], whose approval ratings at the time were low, and another showed a dilapidated building in Detroit, which had filed for bankruptcy months earlier, claiming the city's economic decline was due to the union and its policies.<ref>Kevin Drawbaugh and Nick Carey, [http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/22/us-autos-uaw-election-analysis-idUSBREA1L13220140222 Thirteen billboards, one paint-shop worker helped defeat union at VW plant in Chattanooga], ''Reuters'', February 22, 2014.</ref>

===IRS Complaint Against against ATR for Disparity in Political Spending Reports (2012 Activities)===

===What is Is the "[[Taxpayer Protection Pledge]]"?===

The Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayer Pledge has essentially two main parts. The first part indicates is an unequivocal pledge to oppose all efforts to marginal income tax for individuals and/or businesses. The second part consists of an opposition to any net reduction or elimination of deductions credits. Both are required to withstand in the time of a legislators tenure, if he/she agrees to sign the pledge. From the 112th Congressional list, 235 Representatives and 41 Senators have signed on to it. Of the signers, only three are Democratic legislators, and one is "Independent."<ref>Adam Radman, [http://atr.org/current-list-taxpayer-protection-pledge-signers-a5597 Current List of Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers for the 112th Congress], Americans for Tax Reform, November 5, 2010.</ref>

Since 1986, under the Ronald Reagan administration, the Taxpayer Pledge has been utilized used in GOP tax policies. [[Grover Norquist]] proposed the pledge to pressure other Republican politicians to support with President Reagan's tax agenda. Norquist says, "If you want a politician to make a commitment and want it to matter, it can't be four paragraphs long. I can't have moving parts, you can't remember what's in it." Once Reagan and congressional Republicans signed on to it, Reagan's tax-reform bill passed and the pledge has prospered ever been deployed sincethen. <ref>Chris Good, [http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/11/norquists-tax-pledge-what-it-is-and-how-it-started/ Norquist's Tax Pledge: What It Is and How It Started], ABC News, November 26, 2012.</ref>

ATR has received funding from a number of corporate interests and major conservative right-wing organizations, including:

*[[Donors Trust]], which has funneled a Koch moneyconduit*the [[Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation]]

*[[Philip Morris]] (now [[Altria]])

*[[Jack Abramoff]]'s clients, the Chiefs of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and the Coushattas tribe Tribe of Louisiana, both gave $25,000 in 2001<refname="shenon"/>Philip Shenon Based on data collected by Media Matters' Conservative Transparency Project, the top ten overall contributors to AFT and the AFT Foundation are:<ref>Media Matters, [http://www.nytimesconservativetransparency.com/2006org/03recipient/10americans-for-tax-reform/politics/10abramoff.html?eiog_tot=507024&enorder_by=1870d0e1b1c33db4&ex=1149998400&pagewanted=print contribution+DESC Americans for Tax Reform], top contributors report, accessed July 12, 2016.</ref>  *[[Crossroads GPS]]: $2530,400,000 (2010 and 2012)*[[Center to Lobby Group Is Tied to Access to BushProtect Patient Rights]]: $4,539,000 (2010 and 2012)*[[Free Enterprise America]]: $813,000 (2011)*[[Walton Family Foundation]]: $658, ''The New York Times''500 (2001-2005)*[[Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation]]: $647, March 10500 (1995-2012)*[[American Petroleum Institute]]: $525, 2006000 (2008-2011)*[[John M.</ref>Olin Foundation]]: $525,000 (1995-2001)*[[Randolph Foundation]]: $439,250 (1999-2012)*[[Sarah Scaife Foundation]]: $375,000 (1996-2002)*[[Carthage Foundation]]: $325,000 (1994-2003)*[[Freedom Partners]]: $100,000 (2014)

In 2010, ATR received $4,189,000 from the Koch-linked [[Center to Protect Patient Rights]] ([[#Funding|see below for more]]CPPR).<ref>American Bridge, [http://conservativetransparency.org/transaction/1467947center-to-protect-patient-rightsamericans-for-tax-reform/ Center to Protect Patient Rights Financial Records], ConservativeTransparency.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref> The Center's contribution amounted to approximately a third of ATR's revenue in 2010, which was almost $12.4 million.<ref>GuideStar, [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2010/521/403/2010-521403587-07b65925-9O.pdf Americans for Tax Reform 2010 Form 990], GuideStar.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref> The CenterCPPR, a [[501(c)(4)]] group now known as [[American Encore]], receives a the bulk of its funding from the Koch-backed funding organizations [[TC4 Trust]] and the Kochs' [[Freedom Partners]] , and is overseen by "Koch operative" [[Sean Noble]].<ref>American Bridge, [http://conservativetransparency.org/results/?q=Center+to+Protect+Patient+Rights&sf Center to Protect Patient Rights Financial Records], ConservativeTransparency.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref><ref>Kim Baker, [http://www.propublica.org/article/the-dark-money-man-how-sean-noble-moved-the-kochs-cash-into-politics-and-ma The Dark Money Man: How Sean Noble Moved the Kochs' Cash into Politics and Made Millions], ''Pro Publica'', February 14, 2014.</ref>

In 2012, Americans for Tax Reform's [[501(c)(3)]] arm, the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation, accepted $50,000 from the [[Claude R. Lambe Foundation]], one of the [[Koch Family Foundations]].<ref>American Bridge, [http://conservativetransparency.org/transaction/claude-r-lambe-charitable-foundation2012-4/ Claude R. Lambe Foundation Financial Records], ConservativeTransparency.org, accessed June 24, 2014.</ref>(A complete review of family foundation donations has not been done.)

In November 2013, ''ProPublicaPro Publica'' reported that in 2012, Karl Rove's [[Crossroads GPS]] gave $26.4 million in grants earmarked for "social welfare" to ATR; however, the . The money was instead spent on political activities.

According to ''ProPublicaPro Publica'':

==Personnel =Core Financials==='''<big>2016</big>'''<ref name="2016 990">Americans for Tax Reform, [Paper copy on file with CMD, 2016 990 IRS Form] organizational tax filing, Nov 15, 2017</ref> * Total Revenue: $5,663,481* Total Expenses: $5,703,190* Net Assets: $10,580,582

ATR is headed by [[Grover Norquist]]'''<big>2015</big>'''<ref name="2016 990"/>* Total Revenue: $4, one of the most connected members of the new [[right-wing]] movement. He has close ties to the Republican Party892, large U.S. business interests045* Total Expenses: $4, and both the subsidized and regular U.S. media. Norquist helped the [[Heritage Foundation]] write the Republican's 1994 [[Contract With America]]. 487,326* Net Assets: $9,100,535

Shortly thereafter, Norquist led a right wing charge to '''<big>2013</big>'''<ref name="de-fund2013 990" the left>Americans for Tax Reform, declaring that "We will hunt [these liberal groupshttp://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2014_12_EO/52-1403587_990O_201312.pdf 2013 IRS form 990] down one by one and extinguish their funding sources, organizational tax filing, November 17, 2014.Accessed June 23, 2014.</ref>* Total Revenue: $4,322,947* Total Expenses: $4,024,431* Net Assets: $8,409,216 '''Grants to Other Organizations'''<ref name=" Norquist has also worked as a ab">American Bridge, [[lobbyist]] http://conservativetransparency.org/donor/americans-for-tax-reform/ Americans for clients including [[Microsoft]Tax Reform Transactions], [[''American Business for Legal Immigration]]Bridge'', 2016.</ref>*[[Distilled Spirits CouncilIndependent Women's Voice]]: $260,000*Texans for Fiscal Responsibility: $25,000*Citizens for Limited Taxation: $11,400 '''<big>2012</big>'''<ref name="2013 990"/>* Total Revenue: $30,975,283* Total Expenses: $30,915,010* Net Assets: $8,110,700 '''Grants to Other Organizations'''<ref name="ab"/>*New Hampshire Advantage Coalition: $15, [[Edison Electric Institute]]000*Citizens for Limited Taxation: $10,800*CA Term Limits: $5, [[Interactive Gaming Council]]000*Nebraskans Against Amendment 3: $5, and [[British Petroleum]].000

In a May 25, 1989, memo to the Steering Committee of Americans for Tax Reform -- a document that was curiously found in the files of the now defunct Tobacco Institute -- , Grover Norquist excitedly reported progress on the "anti-tax front." Not only had a swathe swath of members of Congress promised to veto any tax increase, Norquist reported, but there had been "three ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' editorials highlighting the importance of ATR's pledge campaign in stopping tax hikes."

[[Newt Gingrich|Gingrich]], as Republican whip in the U.S. House of Representatives, negotiated an agreement with then-President [[George Walker Bush|George W. Bush]] to vet any budget proposals. Under the deal, Norquist would advise on whether proposed revenue-raising proposals were in fact tax increases, or 'ducks' as Gingrich Norquist termed them. "It is fair to say, in dealing with [[Richard Darman|Darman]] [White House Budget Director] and the administration in general on what is and isn't a duck, I would lean very heavily on [[Richard H. Rahn|Richard Rahn]] (chief economist for the [[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]]), [[Jeff Eisenach]] and Grover Norquist ... They have a very good sense of the distinction between ducks and geese," Gingrich said.<ref name="duckhunters">Ralph Z. Hallow, [http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/vuw32f00/pdf House 'Duck Hunters' Given Tax-Bill Hammer], The Washington Times, April 20, 1989.</ref>

==ATR Dinner Discussions in =Ties to the 1990sTobacco Industry===

While corporate funding for ATR may have been volatile, Norquist had success on another front. In a letter of invitation to [[Philip Morris]]' (PM) Washington-based Legislative Council, Beverley McKittrick, Norquist reported that during 1997, 1997, and 1998, a series of ATR-hosted dinner discussions on tax issues had all been sold out. The earlier dinners had featured speakers such as former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, Congressman John Kasich, and Congressman Bill Thomas.

ATR's role also extended to facilitating the introduction of one Republican political aspirant to RJR. "[[Bethany Noble]] from Americans for Tax Reform will be bringing Kevin Kellems (Republican candidate to oppose Baron Hill in Ind. 9) by for a brief visit at 3.00 today. Kellems is a tobacco farmer, and has a pretty fair shot at unseating HilHill," Donald Foreman, an RJR staffer, wrote in an email to his colleagues.

==Nationalization of =National Campaign against Virginia State Tax IssuesIncrease===

Starting in 2004, ATF launched a national letter-writing campaign to persuade Virginia legislators to fight Democratic Governor [[Mark Warner]]'s plan to raise taxes to maintain the state's AAA bond raising and meet commitments to K-12 and higher education funding, among other purposes. Warner had inherited budget shortfalls from his predecessor, Republican [[George Allen]] , and had already cut spending to avoid a deficit.<ref>The Washington Post, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/daily/graphics/virginia_money_022504.html?referrer=emaillink Virginia's Money Plans], organizational chart, 2004.</ref>

However, the strategy may have backfired. Both the Dillard and Reese seats, which had been Republican, ended up as Democratic seats in the general election. In fact , in the Craddock-Caputo race in Virginia's 67th District, Norquist became a target in the campaign.

==Tax and Spend ... for WarATR Projects==

Shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City, the ''New Republic'' reported that Norquist had been working to broker a "strange alliance" between the Republican Party and radical Islam.<ref>Franklin Foer, [http://www.newrepublic.com/article/politics/83799/norquist-radical-islam-cair Fevered Pitch], New Republic, November 12, 2001.</ref> In February 2003, however, ATR weighed in to support the Bush administration's war drive against Iraq. According to the ''New York Times'', "Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, said his organization had sent every state legislature a proposed measure for adoption the day fighting starts that supports Mr. Bush's actions."<ref>Michael Janofsky, [http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/01/politics/01PEAC.html?ex=1045136269&ei=1&en=f7706b72d4e51e34 Antiwar Sentiment in County Seats and City Halls], The New York Times, February 1, 2003.</ref>Ronald Reagan Legacy Project===

==KStreetProject.com==K Street The [[Ronald Reagan Legacy Project ]] is "non-partisan research a project of political affiliation, employment background, and political donations of members in Washington DCAmericans for Tax Reform. It is a project to put Reagan's premier lobbying firms, trade associations, image on U.S. ten dollar bill and industriesto "dedicate more things after Reagan." Ironically, it shares its name with It promotes a Ronald Reagan Day and naming landmarks after Reagan. <ref>Americans for Tax Reform [http://www.atr.org/ronald-reagan-legacy-project-a4499 about the [[K Street Ronald Reagan Legacy Project|project]] by the Republican Party to pressure Washington lobbying firms to hire Republicans in top positions, and to reward loyal GOP lobbyists with access to influential officials. That projects was launched in 1995organizational Web site, accessed August 27, by Republican strategist and ATF founder Grover Norquist working with former House majority leader Tom DeLay. 2010</ref>

While many of the resources on this site appear non-partisan, there is also a prominent link to [[Daniel J. Flynn]]'s report on liberal bias in higher education.<ref>kstreetproject, [http://www.kstreetproject.com/index.php?content=KSTProject Is a Dedicated Server Worth What You Pay?], organizational report, (no date listed).</ref>==Property Rights Alliance===

Author of ''Intellectual Morons: How Ideology Makes Smart People Fall for Stupid Ideas'' (Crown Forum, 2004) and ''Why This group works to influence legislation in opposition to the Left Hates America: Exposing the Lies That Have Obscured Our Nation's Greatness'' ([[Prima Forum]]estate tax, 2002). The latter is a Crown imprint which publishes conservativeenvironmental protection, current event titles. such as Flynnlicensing restrictions, [[Ann Coulter]] federal purchase of land for national parks and [[Brent Bozell|L. Brent Bozell III]]wildlife areas, broadcast requirements for "multicasting, founder " and president of the [[Media Research Center]].<ref>The Crown Publishing Groupdrug importation, [http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/crownforum/ Crown Forum], organizational website, accessed May 23, 2013.</ref> Flynn served from 1994-1997 as program officer for [[Young America's Foundation]], from 1997-2003 as executive director of [[Accuracy in Academia]], and from 2004-2005 well as director of the Campus Leadership Program at the [[Leadership Institute]]seizure by eminent domain.<ref>Flynn FilesProperty Rights Alliance, [http://www.flynnfilespropertyrightsalliance.comorg/bio.php Biographyabout About], organizational website, accessed May 2322, 2013.</ref>

===Alliance for Worker Freedom=== The [[Ronald Reagan Legacy Project]] "Alliance for Worker Freedom" is a "special project " of Americans for Tax Reform. It The name is really a project misnomer, as the Alliance opposes unions. At the Web site of the AWF, it says "AWF works to put Reagan's image raise awareness of labor union abuses within the political system by educating movement conservatives on Uthe threats to liberty posed by labor unions.S" AWF opposes collective bargaining. ten dollar <ref>Alliance for Worker Freedom [http://www.workerfreedom.org/Collective-Bargaining-a2785 Collective Bargaining], organizational Web site, accessed August 27, 2010</ref> AWF opposes the Employee Free Choice Act, which the [[SEIU]] describes as a bill and that would "make it easier for workers to "dedicate more things after Reaganunite on the job, imposing stiff penalties for corporations who fire or intimidate workers who try to form unions." It promotes a Ronald Reagan Day and naming landmarks after Reagan. <ref>Americans Alliance for Tax Reform Worker Freedom [http://www.atrworkerfreedom.org/ronaldCard-Check-reagan-legacyThe-projectEmployee-Free-Choice-Act-a4499 about the Ronald Reagan Legacy Projecta2784 The Employee Free Choice Act], organizational Web site, accessed August 27, 2010</ref><ref>Service Employees International Union, "[http://www.seiu.org/a/what-is-the-employee-free-choice-act.php What Is the Employee Free Choice Act?]," organizational website, accessed July 29, 2014.</ref> ===The Media Freedom Project===

==Alliance This now defunct project claimed its mission was providing a "voice to people...in the public policy debates that impact" savings and investments. This included opposition to the estate tax and a "fairer, simpler," e.g. less progressive tax rate. Other former endeavors included fighting net neutrality, opposing limitations on "grassroots" internet lobbying, extending lower taxes on capital gains and dividends, supporting Samuel Alito for Worker Freedom==U.S. Supreme Court, and supporting the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). In their words, "Approving CAFTA will reward the democracies in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic for rejecting the Communists, and will send the message to the region and the world that those who adopt free market policies will prosper, and those who adopt Leftist anti-American protectionist policies will fail."{{fact}}

ATR is headed by [[Grover Norquist]], "one of the Republican Party's most influential policy strategists," according to the ''New York Times''.<ref name=="shenon"/> He has close ties to the Republican Party, large U.S. business interests, and both the subsidized and corporate U.S. media. Norquist helped the [[Heritage Foundation]] write the Republican's 1994 [[Contract With America]].<ref> "[http://theweek.com/article/index/217015/grover-norquist-the-man-who-killed-tax-increases Grover Norquist: The man who killed tax increases]," ''The Media Freedom Project==Week'', July 8, 2011. Accessed July 8, 2014.</ref>

The Media Freedom Project was Norquist has led a partner project of Americans for Tax Reformright wing charge to "de-fund" the left, operating from a now defunct websitedeclaring that "We will hunt [these liberal groups] down one by one and extinguish their funding sources."<ref>Media Freedom Project, "[http://webarticles.archivechicagotribune.orgcom/web1995-08-19/20090126123012news/http://mediafreedomproject.org/ Home9508190001_1_non-profits-lobbying-defense-spending A Dangerous Curb On Free Speech], organizational website - accessed by the Wayback Machine" ''Chicago Tribune'', August 19, archived January 261995. Accessed July 8, 20092014.</ref>

==The American Shareholders Project=Staff===

This now defunct project had the mission As of providing a "voice to peopleJuly 2016:<ref>Americans for Tax Reform, [http://www.atr.org/atr-staff ATR Staff].in the public policy debates that impact" savings and investments''Americans for Tax Refore'', July 11, 2016. This included opposition to the estate tax and a "fairer</ref>*[[Grover Norquist]], President*Christopher Butler, Chief of Staff*Holly Jackson, simpler"Director of Development*John Kartch, e.g. less progressive tax rateVP of Communications*Candice N. Other former endeavors includedBoyer, fighting net neutralityDirector of Scheduling and Outreach*Alex Hendrie, opposing limitations on "grassroots" internet lobbyingFederal Affairs Manager*Justin Sykes, extending lower taxes on capital gains and dividendsFederal Affairs Manager*Katie McAuliffe, supporting Samuel Alito for Supreme CourtFederal Affairs Manager *Lorenzo Montanari, and supporting the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).In their wordsInternational Programs Manager*Patrick Gleason, "Approving CAFTA will reward the democracies in El SalvadorDirector of State Affairs*Paul Blair, NicaraguaState Affairs Manager*Miriam Roff, GuatemalaState Affairs Coordinator*Adam L. Radman, HondurasGrassroots Campaigns Manager*Megan McChesney, Costa Rica Senior Manager of Finance and the Dominican Republic for rejecting the CommunistsOperations*Rayanne Matlock, Operations Manager and will send the message to the region and the world that those who adopt free market policies will prosperInternship Coordinator*Jorge Marin, Policy Specialist*Matthew Patterson, and those who adopt Leftist anti-American protectionist policies will fail."{{fact}}Executive Director of Worker Freedom

1920 L Street 722 12th ST NW<br>Suite 200400<br>Washington, DC 2003620005<br>

Email: friends AT ideas@atr.org<br>Press contactWebsite: http: John Kartch, jkartch AT //www.atr.org/<br>Twitter: https://twitter.com/taxreformer<br>WebsiteFacebook: httphttps://www.atrfacebook.orgcom/americansfortaxreform

* [httphttps://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/ALEC_Exposed ALECexposed.org]