2121 Decatur Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tel: 202-483-3751; Fax: 202-986-0667
e-mail: marianfranz@peacetaxfund.org (the current address is info@peacetaxfund.org - webweaver 17 September 2007);www.peacetaxfund.org
Peace Tax Foundation
Same address
The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund NCPTF) was founded in 1971 to address the basic issue of conscientious objection to war as it relates to the payment of taxes. NCPTF is organized solely to promote legislation to allow citizens who are conscientious objectors to pay their full tax liability without violating fundamental moral, ethical, or religious beliefs. A sister organization, The Peace Tax Foundation is dedicated to education and research. It educates the public about alternative tax payment programs that are based on moral, religious and ethical opposition to participation in war. It may also engage in activities such as research, publications dissemination, workshops, and conferences. Contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible. Contributions to the Campaign are not.
Staff
The staff is made up of four persons who make up an equivalent of three full time persons. Marian Franz is Executive Director and lobbyist. Tim Godshall is Director of Outreach and Development. Kelsey Knight-King is Administrative Assistant. Jennifer Beall is Outreach/ Development Assistant.
The Campaign's Board of Directors meets twice a year. It has ten elected board members and seven others appointed by other religious bodies and organizations. Current religious and peace organizations represented are: Roman Catholic, Quakers, Mennonites, Jewish Peace Fellowship, Muslim, Presbyterian Church ( USA), Church of the Brethren, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, and the United Methodist Church. Board members serve on committees for finance, nominations, development and long range planning, personnel, and field work/media/outreach. The Peace Tax Foundation has an additional board member .
Legislative History of The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill
The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill (formerly named the World Peace Tax Fund Bill and the US Peace Tax Fund Bill) was first introduced in the US House of Representatives in 1972 and in the US Senate in 1975. The Bill has been introduced in the House every Congress since. We currently have no bill in the Senate because only members of the Democratic party wish to sponsor it. Since the Republican party is in power, we also need a Republican to sponsor the bill. The Bill has undergone several changes. It no longer specifies where the CO's money would go, but states simply that tax payments from conscientious objectors could be spent for any other purpose for which the government appropriates money, but could not be spent for any military purpose.
Lobbying
Marian Franz lobbies members of Congress and their staffs. She is sometimes accompanied by leaders from other religious organizations who officially support the Peace Tax legislation. She consults with a group of leaders from these groups.
A Legislative Advisory Group is available for consultation with the lobbyist and occasionally assists with lobby visits. The Legislative Advisory Group is comprised of representatives from the Church of the Brethren, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Presbyterian Church ( USA), United Methodist Church and Mennonite Central Committee. These organizations have officially endorsed the effort.
During the administration of President Clinton we had several visits in the White House and the Department of the Treasury.
Grassroots
Politically, the United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each of which elect a representative to the House of Representatives. In addition there are 100 Senators, two each from the 50 states.
Activists in the political districts volunteer to be congressional district contacts. At present we have 30 congressional district contacts who have committed to do a major amount of work to promote the RFPTF Bill in their districts. We also have congregational contacts in some churches.
These contacts and other activists make progress by printing information in other organizations' newsletters, writing letters to Congress and organizing others to do so. They ask their congregation or social justice group to ‘endorse’ the Campaign, thereby activating the awareness of others. Other initiatives include putting posters up on college campuses, leading introductory evenings, writing to local newspapers, and taking up collections to buy ad space in newspapers.
Support
Initially, support came mainly from the Historic Peace Churches (Mennonites, Quakers, Church of the Brethren). In the 1980s, large bodies such as the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Methodist Church took official actions of support. More recently we have received support for organizations which are not pacifist, but are concerned that, without such a bill, there is a violation of freedom of conscience and belief. The New York City Council is considering a resolution urging Congress to pass the Peace Tax Fund bill. This surprising resolution (from a city that was the target of a terrorist attack) can become a pattern for other cities.
There are 4,000 on our mailing list. Of these, 1,300 are national and local religious and peace groups. The remainder are individuals. We produce a newsletter, Peace Tax Fund Update, four times a year.
The budget for the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund for 2004 is $97,000 for the Campaign and $61,000 for the Foundation. Voluntary contributions from some 2,000 individuals and from organizations who support our activities. Basic support is from corporate religious bodies.
Publications and other resources
produced by our organizations are:
- Basic Questions and Answers about the PTF Bill Brochure
- Text of the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill
- Peace Tax Fund Basic Brochure
- Conscientious Objector: Poem by Edna Saint Vincent Millay
- Stages of Conscientious Objection to Military Taxation
- Buttons: Taxes for Peace Not War or Dove with Leaf
- NCPTF Poster: Dove and Planet Earth
- Flier: What would you do if your beliefs were declared illegal?
- Lobby Packet: designed for members of congress, which includes the Bill and basic information
- Compelled by Conscience: NCPTF 15 minute video / DVD
- Bumper Sticker: Taxes For Peace, Not War
- Booklet: Stories of religious freedom and conscience in the United States: Congress shall make no law interfering in religious freedom.
- Flier: Funny Money Free your taxes from enlistment for war!
- Pie Chart: Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes
- Book, Questions that Refuse to Go Away, by Marian Franz
Publications produced by other organizations are:
- Seeking Peace: Notes and Conversations Along the Way, by Johann Christoph Arnold with preface by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Communities of Conscience, Collected Statements on Conscience and Taxes for Military Preparation, 2nd edition
- War Tax Resistance: A Guide to Withholding Your Support from the Military, 4th edition edited by Ruth Benn
- The Tax Dilemma: Praying for Peace, Paying for War, by Donald Kaufman
- A CO's Guide to the UN Human Rights System, by Emily Miles
Report by Marian Franz, July 2004