THOMASVILLE — A local man is looking for people to help him spread the Fair Tax word.

John Layton is working to form a Thomas County group that will push the Fair Tax plan through letter-writing campaigns and by talking it up at area festivals.

“I’ve been a supporter of the Fair Tax since Mike Huckabee ran for president (in 2008),” Layton said.

Layton thought the Fair Tax was dead as a political issue until it resurfaced as the primary topic at an April 14 citizens meeting at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium. The gathering featured a crowd of about 700, including Fair Tax proponent John Oxendine — Georgia’s insurance commissioner and a 2010 gubernatorial candidate.

“This is the first time I’ve ever been involved in anything like this,” Layton said. “I decided to try to do something after learning at the citizens meeting that the Fair Tax was still active.”

The Fair Tax plan is a comprehensive proposal that replaces all federal income and payroll-based taxes with an integrated approach, including a progressive national retail sales tax, a prebate to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level, dollar-for-dollar federal revenue neutrality, and, through companion legislation, the repeal of the 16th Amendment.

The Fair Tax Act (HR 25, S 296) is nonpartisan legislation. It abolishes all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes and replaces them with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax administered primarily by existing state sales tax authorities.

The local Fair Tax meeting is set for Monday at 6 p.m. at Ryan’s Steakhouse.

“We hope people who are interested in distributing literature about the Fair Tax will attend the meeting,” Layton said. “People who would like to learn more about the tax are also invited.”

A video explanation about the Fair Tax will be presented by Leesburg’s Charlie Prochaska, the Fair Tax volunteer coordinator for Georgia’s Second Congressional District.



IF YOU GO

WHAT: Thomas County Fair Tax organizational meeting

WHEN: Monday, 6 p.m.

WHERE: Ryan’s Steakhouse

MORE INFO: Call John Layton at 551-0313 (days) or Lisa Scott at 226-6985 (nights)