[img_assist|nid=1466|title=Grover Norquist and John Stephen|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=250|height=188]MANCHESTER- Joined by Grover Norquist, former Health and Human Services Secretary John Stephen (R-Manchester) signed the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

"The tax cuts of the past decade are absolutely critical to the long-term success of our economy and our growth. To get rid of them would send a clear message that we're not committed to keeping our economy strong, whether in the short-run or the long-run" Stephen told the crowd assembled at Brady-Sullivan's offices in the Jefferson Mill.

Stephen added that the government does not have a revenue shortage.

"We consistently don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem," he said.

Stephen's primary rival, former congressman Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) has also signed the pledge.

The signer of the pledge promises to "oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses," and to "oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits unless matched dollar for dollar by fu[img_assist|nid=1467|title=John Stephen signing the ATR pledge|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=150]rther reducing tax rates."

Norquist, president of ATR, praised recent tax cuts but added that fiscal discipline must be restored to Washington.

"We now enter a conversation about how we maintain those tax cuts and how we have fiscal discipline that has been lacking over the past eight years on spending issues," Norquist said.

Norquist said his group cannot endorse a candidate because of its' federal status but 95% of Republicans running for federal office have signed the pledge.

Also attending the event were Second District congressional candidate Grant Bosse (R-Hillsboro) and Executive Council candidate Stephen Stepanek (R-Amherst).