Not over yet.

• Author: Norquist, Grover
• Position: Letters - Letter to the Editor

I write to take exception with the article by Daniel Franklin and A.G. Newmyer III ("Is Grover Over?" March). The authors claim that the "No-New-Taxes" stance is losing in the states, yet they draw their conclusions by conveniently omitting trends that counter their argument.

While Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels's proposal to raise taxes took many by surprise, the House of Representatives quickly rebuked him by passing a no-tax-increase budget. Beyond Indiana, the authors indicate that the pro-taxpayer movement is losing steam. Wrong: For the past three years, taxpayers have clearly rejected tax increases at the polls, in Virginia, Alabama, Oregon, California, Seattle, Vermont, and Washington State. In the 2004 primary elections, taxpayers ousted a significant number of tax hikers, in North Carolina, Kansas, Wisconsin, Nevada, and other states.

The article correctly states that the right now moves to Virginia but exaggerates the goals of the pro-taxpayer movement. Defeating only one or two of the tax hikers would send a clear enough message. In fact, taxpayers have already scored two victories: Sen. Ken Stolle was denied a chance for higher office, and Del. James Dillard folded under pressure and resigned.

The current number of signers of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is not 1,200 but 1,247, and more than 90...