Nick Tyszka, the press secretary for the Republican candidate for Congress, Chris Chocola, says Rep. Tim Roemer is misleading the public in his campaign.

Tyszka's main complaint is that Roemer has been voting both sides of issues.

According to Tyszka, Roemer said, "I never voted to raise taxes."

However, Tyszka said, the best example of Roemer voting to raise taxes is vote 127 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act on March 31, 1993. This vote advanced President Bill Clinton's 1994 budget, which mandated an increase in taxes. The Washington Post reported that it was "one of the largest tax increases in history."

"It is very clear he has voted on both sides," said Tyszka. "He's saying the (previous) votes don't count."

Chocola claims Tim Roemer told the people of Indiana on June 9 that he supported the repeal of the estate tax. Yet, Chocola said, he continues to support Clinton and the Democrats. The House of Representatives also passed the Death Tax Elimination Act June 9 and Roemer was one of 279 members of Congress who supported the legislation. However, Clinton vetoed the bill, Chocola said, and Roemer still supports him.

"It is not credible to say you're for one thing and support people who fight against what you claim is good," said Chocola.

Chocola and Tyszka both said this is a serious credibility issue. Tyszka said last year Roemer voted against repealing the bill that has tax penalties, but now that election is coming up he is voting for tax repeals to look good to the public.

Finally, Americans for Tax Reform, a nonpartisan citizen watchdog group in Washington, D.C., announced Aug. 29 that Roemer is a co-recipient of the August 2000 "Enemy of the Taxpayer" award.

When asked about these accusations, Roemer said Wednesday, "I feel the Third District of Indiana deserves better than negative politics and advertising."

He also pointed out that he voted against the marriage tax penalty and the death tax penalty. He also has voted to do away with the death penalty. He said both the National Chamber of Commerce and the Farm Bureau endorse him over Chocola.

Roemer said he led the fight on balancing the national budget and that has been accomplished. In 1994, 50 percent of Indiana residents on welfare got off welfare and began working and paying taxes. He also said his record for fiscal responsibility is very clear.

Roemer's goal is to retire the national debt by 2013 since the budget was balanced in 1997. Roemer said there is a $2.1 trillion non-Social Security surplus. He proposes that 55 percent to 65 percent of this should be used toward debt reduction. However there would still be plenty left over for tax cuts, he said.

He is unconcerned about being reported in the top five on the Hypocrisy Index, published by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, a list of 31 members of Congress who promised cuts but "delivered more government." Roemer said the list was released in 1993 or 1994. He said because the election is drawing near, his opponent is bringing up things of the past.

Roemer said if Chocola wants to continue to distort things and promote negative politics, that Roemer will not stoop to that level.

"We'll stay positive," he said. [[In-content Ad]]