Coble Receives Taxpayers' Friend Award

COBLE RECEIVES TAXPAYERS' FRIEND AWARD

Citing his strong, fiscally-conservative voting record, the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) has named U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) as one of its ‘Taxpayers' Friends' for 2006. Congressman Coble received a grade of ‘A' for his votes during the second session of the 109th Congress. Only 61 out of 535 members of the U.S. House and Senate were honored with the coveted NTU ‘Taxpayers' Friend Award.'

Rep. Coble was presented with his award on Friday, March 9 in a presentation in his Capitol Hill office. The award was presented by Pete Sepp, NTU Vice President of Communications and Kristina Rasmussen, NTU Senior Government Affairs Manager.

"Why I am so proud of this award," Rep. Coble noted, "is that NTU looks at every single vote we make during the year which affects taxes, spending, debt, and regulatory burdens. "Other groups will select a handful of votes to rank members of Congress, and sometimes, that can give voters a skewed view. NTU examined 199 votes we cast in 2006 and that is a truer reflection of where we stand on the political spectrum, and I am proud that NTU labels me as a fiscal conservative and a ‘Taxpayers' Friend.'"

"Rep. Howard Coble's pro-taxpayer score of 70 percent was one of the best in the entire House," said John Berthoud, president of the National Taxpayers Union. "By consistently voting to reduce federal spending, taxes, and debt, Congressman Coble has truly earned the title, ‘Taxpayers' Friend.' If every member of Congress had voted as responsibly as Rep. Coble did in 2006, Americans could enjoy much lower taxes and less waste in government. Overburdened taxpayers in North Carolina's 6th District and across the nation owe Rep. Coble a debt of gratitude for his hard work on their behalf. While many members of Congress talk about reducing the size of government, Rep. Coble backed up those words with votes. This award proves that he is a consistent and effective ally in our battle to restore fiscal responsibility to Washington."

In the North Carolina delegation, the NTU gave its ‘Taxpayers' Friend Award' to Reps. McHenry (75%), Myrick (71%) and Coble. Other N.C. scores in 2006 were Foxx (69%), Taylor (58%), Hayes (58%), Jones (57%), McIntyre (23%), Etheridge (16%), Watt (14%), Butterfield (13%), Miller (11%), and Price (10%). Both of the state's Senators received grades of B+ with Richard Burr rated at 80% and Elizabeth Dole at 79%. Senators needed a rating of 84% or higher to be named as a ‘Taxpayers' Friend.' House members received the award if their rating was 70% or higher.

The 350,000-member NTU was founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, smaller government, and more economic freedom at all levels. Note: The 2006 rating, and a searchable rating database from the years 1992-2006, are both available online at http://www.ntu.org/

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