President of the U.S., 1981-1989; Republican Governor (CA)
25% tax cut early, then overhaul tax system & reduce rates
Early budget cuts of $39 billion were followed by the passage of a 25% tax cut for individual taxpayers and faster tax write-offs for business.
Reagan’s domestic program during his second term focused on tax reform. Late in 1986 the Senate joined
the House to pass a major tax bill that reduced the number of tax rates, removed millions of low-income persons from the tax rolls, and eliminated most deductions.
Source: Grolier Encyclopedia on-line, “The Presidency”
Dec 25, 2000
Serious on tax simplification; mocked as “secret tax plan”
In one State of the Union address, the president announced that he was “asking for a plan of action to simplify the entire tax code so that all taxpayers, big and small, are treated more fairly.” This order was diminished by the qualifier that Reagan
would not deliver “specific recommendations” until December. Democrats erupted in cynical laughter. Since he was totally serious about tax reform, Reagan had not realized that the wording of the announcement would make his commitment seem like a ploy.
Source: The Role of a Lifetime, by Lou Cannon, p. 553-54
Jul 2, 1991
Success should not be penalized by high taxes
Idle industries have cast workers into unemployment and personal indignity. Those who do work are denied a fair return for their labor by a tax system which penalizes successful achievement and keeps us from maintaining full productivity.
Source: Inaugural Speech, Washington D.C.
Jan 20, 1980
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