Ohio Family Enters National Tax Debate with New, Non-Profit Project

HUDSON, Ohio, May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A family from this small Ohio city has entered the large national debate over the appropriate level of federal income taxation by forming The Line 78 Project.

The Line 78 Project (www.line78.org) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in Hudson, Ohio on May 5, 2011 by Don Kurdziel, Leesa Kurdziel, Chris Kurdziel and Douglas Kurdziel after sharing their views on federal tax policy during Easter weekend on the campus of Cornell University.  The simple purpose of the project is to lobby the federal government to add a place on IRS Form 1040 – Line 78 – for every American to have the opportunity to voluntarily pay an amount of federal income tax in addition to what they legally owe.

More than any poll, the implementation of Line 78 will provide a unique insight into America's collective belief about the appropriate level of taxation in our society by allowing ordinary citizens to vote with their dollars.

Additionally, The Line 78 Project will urge all politicians who have proposed a tax increase to lead by example and pay an amount on Line 78 equal to the additional tax they would have to pay under their proposal.

Regarding the grass-roots formation of the project, Leesa, 54, a former social worker, commented, "We are one family, but we are also four individuals, each with our own views about this important, inter-generational issue.  There is something in this project for everyone, especially since what we are asking the government to do won't cost the taxpayers a dime. We may even make the government money. How often does that happen?"  

Douglas, 23, a New York City-based consultant, added, "Line 78 will give ordinary Americans a powerful voice in letting our elected officials know exactly how much more they are willing to pay for the federal government we have."

Chris, 26, an MBA candidate at Cornell's Johnson School, believes, "This is a no-lose, non-partisan proposition.   No matter what happens, examining the data of those groups that do and don't include a payment on Line 78 will help the government set tax policy."

Don, 55, a real estate investor, laid out the organization's plans for the future.  "We are very excited about taking this important first step toward giving ordinary Americans a greater voice in this important debate.  We will be working hard to earn their support and to establish relationships with existing advocacy groups across the political spectrum in order to achieve our goal."

CONTACT:  Don Kurdziel, Co-Founder, The Line 78 Project, 330-217-7800, [email protected], www.line78.org, @line78project.

SOURCE The Line 78 Project