South Carolina Association of Taxpayers
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This article is part of the Tobacco portal on Sourcewatch funded from 2006 - 2009 by the American Legacy Foundation. |
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This article is part of the Center for Media & Democracy's spotlight on front groups and corporate spin. |
The South Carolina Association of Taxpayers (SCAT) is an anti-tax group that accepts corporate funding. On its website it ststes that it is "an independent, privately funded research group whose purpose is to encourage government to work more efficiently."[1] The "helpful websites" page on its website includes links to the National Taxpayer's Union, the Cato Institute, and the Heritage Foundation.[2]
Contents
Opposition to Tobacco Taxes
In 2008 SCAT was reported as being anonymously funded by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company to mail out 10,000 postcards to Republican activists asking them to oppose an increase in South Carolina's cigarette tax to help fund healthcare for uninsured workers. [3]
SCAT was listed as a "stakeholder" in a 2001 Philip Morris Field Action Team list of allies to be briefed about a proposal to allow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate cigarettes.[4] SCAT was also listed in a 1999 Philip Morris "Tobacco Allies Notebook"[5]
SCAT opposed a federal lawsuit to seek government reimbursement for Medicaid costs of treating sick smokers.[6]
Personnel
Officers
- Don Weaver, President
- Jim Keasler, Vice-President
- Dan Harvell, Vice-President
- David James,Vice-President
- Mark Johnson (South Carolina), Treasurer
- Stephanie Haile, Executive Assistant
Board of Directors
- Mary Williams, 2nd Cong. District
- Lonnie Shealy, 2nd Cong. District
- Don Bowen, 3rd Cong. District
- Dan Winchester, 3rd Cong. District
- Butch Taylor, 4th Cong. District
- Aurelia Hood,4th Cong. District
- Lucille Dismukes, 4th Cong. District
Funding
On its website, SCAT provides no details of its funding sources.
Contact details
SCAT
PO Box 50799 Columbia, SC 29250
Phone: Phone: (803) 748-9198
SCAT Blog: www.scatsc.org/blog
Website: http://www.scatsc.org/
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ "About SCAT", accessed March 2008>
- ↑ "Helpful Links", accessed March 2008>
- ↑ O'Connor J. R.J. Reynold's stealth move: Tobacco firm plays role in taxpayer group’s ad campaign opposing bill News article. The State. March 3, 2008
- ↑ Proactive Communications PM Field Action Team FDA Education Campaign Stakeholder Briefings Report. July 20, 2001. Philip Morris Bates No. 2085074931/4940
- ↑ No author. Federal Government Affairs Tobacco Allies Notebook Index. List. 132 pp. October, 1999. Bates No. 2080355491/5613
- ↑ N332 Report/list. 10pp. July, 1997. Philip Morris Bates No. 2074190772/0781
