WASHINGTON, D.C.-- By signing the Americans for Tax Reform "Taxpayer Protection Pledge", Grant Lally, Republican candidate for New York's fifth district, has proved that he will serve the people of New York if elected.

"Signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge today is simply demonstration of common sense. Every member of the legislature should sign this Pledge," Damon Ansell, state projects manager with Americans for Tax Reform said. "The hard earned wages of the citizens of New York will be better used if they remain in taxpayer's pockets. By signing this pledge, candidates make it clear that they agree. Federal and state taxes are already too high, and they absolutely must not be increased."

Taxes are too high and, unless drastic changes occur, they will go even higher. That is why these Taxpayer Protection Pledges are so important," said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR).

"Only when a bloc of legislators stand up and say 'no- we will not vote for any tax increase' will government begin to pare down the waste and bloated bureaucracy that these continuing tax increases feed. Other states have avoided tax hikes and balanced the budget. If the people of New York elect anti-tax, pro-taxpayer legislators, there will never be a tax hike.

ATR is a coalition of taxpayer organizations committed to opposing tax increases at the State and federal level. ATR has collected signed pledges from over 120 candidates, 206 members of the house and 32 senators, including Bob Dole. ATR asks all state legislative representatives and Members of Congress to take the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.