For Immediate Release

December 21th, 2010

New Governor and Legislature Face Tax Reform Demand

There are a number of proposals to change Michigan's tax structure and to reduce government spending but no proposal has been proven at the polls like the Michigan FairTax. Just how did candidates that supported the MI FairTax proposal fare across the state in last month's elections? Amazingly well!

John Crawford, Executive Director of the Michigan FairTax Association (MFTA), pointed out, "Of the 148 races for the Michigan Legislature, 56 of them involved candidates that expressed support for the MI FairTax. There were two FairTax Candidates in each of 2 races for a total of 58 FairTax Candidates in 56 races. Of the 58 candidates, there were 2 Libertarians, and 56 Republicans." (None of the nine Democrats running in the Primary that supported the MI FairTax made it to the General Election.)

A 62.5% Success Rate

· Of the 56 races in which MI FairTax candidates participated, 35 FairTax candidates won for a 62.5% success rate.

· Of these 56 races, 6 FairTax candidates were incumbents and all were re elected for 100% success rate.

· Of the 35 races in which there were no incumbents, the candidates supporting the MI FairTax won 27, for a 77.1% success rate.

· Of these 56 races, MI FairTax candidates won 35 of the 38 that were considered to be competitive (less than 20% spread between Democrat and Republican in last election) for a 92% success rate. Almost without exception, the spreads in non-competitive races were dramatically narrowed by FairTax candidates.

FairTax GOP Candidates Were More Successful than Non-FairTax GOP Candidates

· Republican candidates that did not run on the MI FairTax won 54 of their 92 races, a 58.7% success rate, but where Republican candidates were identified as supporters of the MI FairTax they won 62.5% of the races, as noted above. This puts to rest claims by some members of the political establishment that the MI FairTax and national FairTax are political liabilities.

· Similar to Michigan's electoral affirmation of MI FairTax, Republican FairTax candidates in November's Congressional elections across the country were three times more successful than Republican non-FairTax candidates.

Roger Buchholtz, MFTA president said, "The conclusion is clear: The more voters hear about the Michigan and national FairTax proposals the more they like them and will support advocates of the proposals."

Crawford and Buchholtz stated emphatically that "The new governor and legislature will be followed closely by voters to insure that the MI FairTax is fully weighed against the other tax reform proposals because it is the only proposal that is sufficient to change business location and expansion decisions that will bring jobs to Michigan. The November election was a strong statement that more of the same is not acceptable." Information on the MI FairTax is available at www.mifairtax.org.