Taxing issue in Pennsylvania special election

Pennsylvania congressional candidate Tim Burns (R) is caught in the middle of a debate over the so-called FairTax.

The FairTax plan, which is championed by a Texas-based advocacy group, calls for the replacement of federal income and payroll taxes with a national sales tax of 23 percent.

Burns is facing off against Democrat Mark Critz (D) in a special election for the late Rep. John Murtha’s (D-Pa.) seat.

A recent Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee TV spot blasted him for supporting “a 23 percent national sales tax.” The ad's narrator asks, “What will it cost you?”

The Burns campaign called the ad a “lie.”

“I do not support the [FairTax],” Burns said in a statement. “In fact, you’ve probably heard that I did, but that is one of the lies that are being told by my opponents. … I want to make it clear that I do not support the [FairTax].”

While Burns fends off attacks that he supports the FairTax, the group FairTax National Victory Campaign is launching a $50,000 radio ad buy in the 12th district advocating for the measure.

Ken Hoagland, who chairs the group, said he’s seen candidates back away from supporting the tax reform before.

Burns “has taken a few steps back from his initial statement of support for the FairTax, where he would ultimately like us to go — that’s not unusual,” Hoagland said. “Very few people will actually stand their ground and say, ‘Look, this is the best way to go.’ ”

Hoagland said his group is forming a political action committee this cycle, which will donate to candidates who support their cause. “From now on, if you lie about the FairTax, you’re going to be made to pay a price with the voters,” he said.

“In the past, campaigns have found it easier to lie about the FairTax than to defend the corrupted income tax system,” Hoagland noted. “Deliberate distortions about the FairTax will now be equally toxic.”

Hoagland said other candidates will defend their support of the FairTax if they’re backed by a strong national organization.

“If it becomes funded as well as I think it may be funded, you’ll see us playing in a lot of races,” he said.

The special election is May 18. Polls show it to be a tight race but give Burns a small lead.