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CREATED 5/10/2013 USAWARNING:
This site deals only with the corporate corruption of science, and makes no inference about the motives or activities of individuals involved.
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OPINION ONLY
Joseph M Jadlow— An economics professors from Oklahoma State University, who was always available as an economist-for-hire to the tobacco industry to help them oppose public smoking bans and rising cigarette taxes. —
This surrepticious network of compliant economists operated by using the facilities and staff of George Mason University's Center for the Study of Policy Choice [supposedly an independent study center within the university]. Savarese and Tollison used the Center's membership list of ultra-libertarian professors of economics at various State Universities in their recuitment drives. Generally those recruited were
Since these hypocritical ultra-free-market professors almost always held salaried positions at local universities they expoited the public trust inherent in their academic status. They were contracted on a pay-for-service basis, but were not to reveal that the tobacco industry paid them for most of the services they rendered. In fact, they were especially prized if they were 'non-smokers' since this purist claim implied that they were impartial on the smoking-costs question, and this enhansed their credibility when commenting on cigarette excises. They were paid $300 to $1000 per time to:
Some of the professsors fingered in this expos&eacut; have complained bitterly that they were simply ideological activists in a political dispute. While the members of this network were certainly ideologically aligned to ultra-free-market economics, they were also knowingly part of a conspiracy to promote corporate-funded ideas without acknowlegement of the funding source — and without considering the health-and-welbeing consequences of their self-serving activities. This was a conspiratorial deception perpetrated by a trusted academic on the citizens who ultimately paid his or her salary. And the particpants were involved for no other reason than personal greed.
They were recruited, despite knowing full-well that the ultimate consequence of their actions was to promote an industry which resulted in the premature deaths and debilitation of millions of people around the world. It is difficult to know how effective this operation was, but the Tobacco Institute supported this group of 50 to 100 Professors of Economics for a couple of decades, so they obviously felt they were getting value for money. Over the years new members joined and others left the group — but generally Savarese and Tollison maintained one or two economists working in each State. The Professors themselves, of course, justified and rationalised taking money from the tobacco institute on 'ideological grounds' — and never questioned the fact that they were exploiting and undermining the reputation of academics in general, or the indepenent standing of their own university, by acting as secret lobbyists for the tobacco industry.
Network beginnings:
The foundation document for the network still in the tobacco industry archives is a Draft plan by the Tobacco Institute dated 30 April 1984 "Cigarette Excise Tax Plan" which was aimed at countering the Reagan Administration's "Packwood Tax Plan". Potential Economic Consultants See last page http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/xnu98b00/pdf
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| Packwood's Dilemma |
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The Reagan Administration had gone on a spending spree while promising to rein in the bureaucracy and cut taxes. Under Reagan the national debt was skyrocketing, so Oregon Republican Bob Packwood was given the job of designing a new tax plan. However President Reagan insisted that it must:
So while actively supporting the Reagan Administration's anti-agency (FDA, EPA, OSHA) activities and the Republican attempts to limit product-liability, class actions, etc. the tobacco companies (who also owned beer, wine and spirit businesses) took a prominent stand against Packwood — but kept themselves in the background through hiring academic economists to promote their propaganda. |
1986 Jan: Public Relations Resources Commitee of TI lists him as both a Tax and a Public Smoking witness"
Those economists who have testified or prepared op-ed pieces on the economic effects of public smoking are marked accordingly. The others may be briefed an the potential cost to government of implementing smoking restrictions.
[This appears to be a tryout before formally retaining his services.]
1986 March: Copies of the letters that the cash-for-comments economists wrote to various newspapers editors, and also the ones they wrote to their Senators — none of which mentioned that they'd been paid by the Tobacco Institute to write both the op-eds and the Congressional letters. These were sent to the Tobacco Institute as proof of their activities:
Newspaper clippings of some of the network members' published articles for this project are grouped here:
[Printed versions]
- Joseph Jadlow, Tax reform Hidden excise boost hurt consumers...
- Allen Dalton, Hidden taxes gut Reagan reform plan.
- Charles Maurice, Packwood proposal picks our pockets.
- Scott Atkinson, Packwood Tax Reform Bill Threatens Wyoming Economy.
[Typewritten draft versions]
- Allen Dalton, Tax Revision: Reform or Fraud.
- Thomas F Pogue, Senator Packwood's Proposal is Not Tax Reform.
- Richard B McKenzie, Excise Taxation: A Misguided Soultion to the Federal Governments Fiscal Woes.
- Terry Anderson, Tax Reform We Don't Need.
- Michael Crew, Tax Reform Hides Massive Excise Tax Increases: Senator Packwood Is Too Clever by Half.
- JJ Bodewyn, Taxwise, We are going to be had.
- Anne Harper-Fender, The Packwood Tax Plan: Reform or Expediency.
- Scot Atkinson, Packwood Tax Reform Bill Threatens Wyoming Economy.
These draft articles have all been freshly retyped on two different typewriters. This confirms that they are the final output after they've passed the Tobacco Institute's vetting, clearance, and 'improvement' stages.
1986 Mar 31: A list of excerpts from major newspaper editorials and op-eds about the Packwood tax plan.
Joseph M. Jadlow, Professor of Economics, Oklahoma State University in The Tribune. "Tax reform: Hidden excise boosts hurt consumers..." "
...The Packwood plan proposes to offset reduced revenues from income taxes by what The Wall Street Journal has referred to as a 'back-door increase in excise taxes.'"
1986 Apr: /E James Savarese has circulated these instructions to his stable of cash-for-comment economists. He is asking them to write to the House Ways and Means Committee members in their states, and include a copy of their op-ed articles.
He provides stamped and addressed envelopes, and strict instructions for what the letter should say:
Contents of your letter to the memberJoseph Jadlow was one on the list of "Economists asked to write letters to Congressmen."
- Opposition to consumption taxes, especially federal excise taxes, and in particular alcohol and cigarettes (you may list others if you wish).
- Opposition to any tax increase as part of the budget reconciliation process; i.e., the need to comply with Gramm-Rudman target of $145 billion deficit limit. This deficit target should be reached with spending reductions.
- However, if the tax reform package that ultimately emerges generates some windfall tax revenues during the first year, FY 1987, these should take the place of any other tax increase that might be considered. (For your information, most analysts believe that the Packwood version of the tax bill is revenue neutral over a five year period, but that it raises between $15-$20 billion during the first year.
- One tax bill per year is more than enough. Whatever tax bill (if any) passed will create enormous uncertainty among the taxpaying public. The last thing that taxpayers — as investors, consumers, etc. — need is another tax bill one month after the major reform bill is passed.
[This is lobbying in any sense of the word. The economists were exploiting their university credentials for personal and tobacco industry financial gain.]
1986 Apr 1: An Open Letter to Senator Robert Packwood (by Wm Mitchell) has been sent to the network economists to help them write their articles. This is a checklist of those in the 1) Writing Stage 2) Submitted to Newspapers 3) Letters Written to Senators.
This cash-for-comments participant has written both the article and the letters to Senators, and has attached a copy of the article sent back to the Tobacco Institute.
1986 Apr 2: Jadlow's article "Tax Reform: Hidden excise boosts hurt consumers" appears in The Tulsa Tribune
1986 Apr 15: Jim Savarese is reporting to Fred Panzer at the TI about the [anti] Packwood Tax Plan project. He includes numerous letters sent to Senators, copies of published op-eds, and a revised op-ed for Maine and one for Minnesota, He lists the successes of the network economists, including:
OKLAHOMA, Prof J Jadlow
[Submitted to] Tulsa Tribune 3/28/86
[Letters sent to Senators] Boren and Nickles 3/28/86
1986 Apr 15: Jim Savarese is reporting to Fred Panzer at the TI about the [anti] Packwood Tax Plan project.
We have contacted the following people and have asked them to request to testify before the Senate Finance Committee on April 21, 1986. As of today, no one has been asked to testify, but here is the current status.We will check back with these people daily to see if they have heard anything and I'll let you know as soon as we are successful.
- J.J. Boddewyn, New York - called and wrote [CUNY]
- B. Poulson, Colorado - called and wrote
- Michael Crew, New Jersey - called and wrote [Rutgers]
- William Mitchell, Oregon - called and wrote [Uni of Oregon]
- Richard McKenzie, Missouri - called and wrote [Washington Uni, St Louis]
- Ann Harper-Fender, Pennsylvania - called and wrote [Gettysburg College]
- Joseph Jadlow, Oklahoma - called and wrote [Oklahoma State]
- Robert Tollison, Virginia and D.C. - called and wrote [George Mason]
- John Howe, Kansas - previous commitment
- Terry Anderson, Montana - previous commitment
- Lee Anderson, Delaware - previous commitment
1986 Apr 17: Citizens requesting to testify before the Senate Finance Committee in opposition to excise tax provisions of the Draft (Packwood) Tax Reform Bill.
This long list of tobacco lobbyists, unionists, and political think-tank players is divided by state and includes a number of economists from the cash-for-comments network.
- Barry Poulson, University of Colorado
- Richard McKenzie, Washington University at St Louis
- Michael Crew, Rutgers University
- JJ Boddewyn, City University of New York
- Joseph Jadlow, Oklahoma State University
- William Mitchell, University of Oregon
- Ann Harper-Fender, Gettysburg College
- Robert Tollison, George Mason University
1986 May: /E A Tobacco Institute list of "Schedule of Payments - Excise Tax Op-Ed project." (April-May 1986) This lists those academic economists who have already planted their article on a local newspaper, and the amount they are to be paid.
They appear to have been paid $900 for each article, and $1025 if they had also made contact with their local Congressman. However a number of the cash-for-comments network members still have not completed their commission.
The George Mason (Uni) production staff of Bob Tollison, Bill Shughart, and Gary Anderson were paid for "rewrites, editing and research, 18 articles", and Carol Robert for the "production of final product. " A total of $18,000 + $1067 expenses [or $1000 per article to make them into saleable propaganda for their local newspapers]
Jadlow in Oklahoma has been given the target of planting his article on the Tulsa Tribune and was due for payment of $1025.00.
A later Schedule of Payments increases this amount by another "$975.00 — Paid in Full"
The GMU production staff were also being paid another $9,500 for rewrites, editing and research on 9 additional articles, while Savarese seems to have been charging $5,800 + $235 in expenses for recruiting replacement economists in California, Montana, New York, Ohio and Tennessee.
1986 May: A bundle of 72 pages of information is being circulated by the Tobacco Institute to its Regional Directors. The data is predominantly on the tobacco-industry beat-up known as Sick Building Syndrome and on the general problems of Indoor Air Quality [all down-playing the effects of smoking in confined spaces]
Section 1 is headed
List of sources. Local and national experts you can call for quotes or background information. It promotes the services of three specialist lobbyists
- Lewis Solmon - an academic who discounts problems of workplace smoking
- Al Vogel - who claims to be an expert in public attitudes to smoking
- Mike Forscey, a labor lawyer/lobbyist who helped the tobacco industry keep the union movement on-side.
1986 May: The cash-for-comments network has been busy writing to Senators and Representatives opposing the Packwood Tax Plan. Copies of these letters are then sent to Savarese, who bundles them up and sends them on to the Tobacco Institute. There are letters here from:
- Two from Jean J Boddewyn, (with op-ed and letter sent to the Senate Finance Commitee)
- One from Joseph Jadlow (with op-ed published in Tulsa Tribune)
- One from Michael Crew (with op-ed submitted to the Jersey Journal)
- Published op-ed by Charles Maurice.
1986 May 22: James Savarese has written to his cash-for-comments economists requesting that they now...
... produce a follow up letter to the members of the House Ways and Means Committee in your state. You will note that we are asking that you send this correspondence by Tuesday, May 27, to the home district offices of these members.He also enclosed the target list of the Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, and (to the Tobacco Institute) the list of economists.
You should refer to your correspondence with the state's Senators and attach copies of your OP-EDs that were placed. In the event that your OP-ED has not yet been placed, please attach it and mention one newspaper to which it has been sent.
Contents of your letter to the member:
- Opposition to consumption taxes,
- Opposition to any tax increase as part of the budget reconciliation process;
- One tax bill per year is more than enough.
1986 May 30: Fred Panzer of the Tobacco Institute was contacting British-American Tobacco's PR executive, Tom Humber [also Burson-Marsteller and National Smoking Alliance] sending him some of the examples of the network economists.
Enclosed are: (1) The first wave of 27 op-ed reprints, (2) A second wave of 32 op-ed articles (21 published and 11 unpublished), sent out on Packwood's first tax reform proposal.He also lists 21 of the economist (including this one) and provides copies of many of their recent articles.
I've also included one on the Chase [Economtrics] study. There are a few others being rounded up, as well as a syndicated excise tax feature series we developed. Out of all this should come something useful for your people.
1986 Dec 8: Sam Chilcote is summing up the Tobacco Institute's activities in fighting the Packwood Tax Plan which attempted to impose special excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol and fuel (in the oil crisis years) to reduce use. Packwood also wanted to make these taxes and tarffs non-deducatable for federal income tax purposes.
The document bundle (219 pages) includes:
- Pages 2 to 34: A major study done for the TI by Policy Economics Group
- Pages 35 to 50: Another major study commissioned from DeSeve Economics for the Coalition Against Regressive Taxation (CART) [funded by tobacco to act as a front]
- Pages 51 to 57: A couple of papers done for Covington & Burling
- Pages 58 to 100: A long document which has deliberately NOT included the name of the organisation which produced it within the document itself. (But done by deSeve Economics Associates Inc).
- Pages 101 to 129 : A paper on the "Burden of Tobacco Taxes on Selected Demographic Groups"
- Pages 130 to 144: Some booklet trying to rabble-rouse the Hispanic and Black communities and make them believe Packwood is attacking them racially.
- Page 145 to 177: A Citizens for Tax Justice 'poll' on attitudes. and Coalition Against Regressive Taxation document
- From Page 178 on: many of the op-eds they have had published in newspapers by the cash-for-comment academic economists, (including one from this source.)
See two of Jadlow articles on page 181 and 195 of the document bundle. Also see pages 210 to 219 of the bundle which have multiple Letters-to-editor/commentary from 17 cash-for-comments economists — William Hunter, Dennis Logue, William Shugart, Harold Hochman. David Wilhelm, Joseph Jadlow, Robert Ekelund, Thomas Borcherding, K Celeste Gaspari, David Laband, Fred McChesney, Dean Tipps, Allen Parkman, Richard Vedder, Roger Faith, Lee Alson, and William Hunter,
They had obviously managed to plant these multiple-author pieces on a number of newspapers.
1986 Dec 11: Savarese gives Fred Panzer
"a list of all the economists we have used along with the projects they have worked on in behalf of the Tobacco Institute. [Including for...]
Oklahoma
Professor Joseph Jadlow, Department of Economics,
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
• original excise tax op-ed
• Packwood
• academic forum
• Ways and Means letter writing campaign
• GSA letter writing campaign
1987 Jan 6: and 12 Jim Savarese advises the Tobacco Institute that some economists were no longer working for his network. However Jadlow is still being listed as their main Oklahoma economist-for-hire.
A note alongside his entry shows that he accepted a commission on February 2nd.
In order to keep this project straight with respect to the economists, we were specifically assigned to go back to all 42 names on the original list to check to see if the economists were still interested in working for us, still in the same state, and available to meet with representatives from state activities.[The invoice is missing, and he gives no details of the current project.]
We have 34 who fit this criteria and have been contacted. The list is attached. The states that we once had that are currently missing are Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The attached invoice covers the project of re-contacting the original 42 economists and coming up with the present 34 people.
An internal memo within the Tobacco Institute explains to Regional Directors why they had needed Savarese to check on availability:
The primary purpose of this contact is to determine if a given economist is capable of testifying effectively before a legislative body.
They have been informed that someone from TI will be in contact with them.
We request that an initial contact be made by telephone immediately. Please let me know when this initial contact has been made. Personal meetings should be arranged and completed no later than May 1, 1987.
1987 Jan 6: Savarese is charging the Tobacco Institute $3,200 to update the cash-for-comments economists list (with Jadlow still active)
1987 Mar 25: A list of quotes excerpted from major newspaper editorials and op-eds from the TI's cash-for-comments economists about the Packwood tax plan.
The Tulsa Tribune, March 25, 1987
In the wake of the recent efforts at tax reform, it would truly be a sin to increase the sin taxes."Joseph M. Jadlow, professor of economics at Oklahoma State University.
1987 Apr 17: Savarese to Panzer re Senate Finance Committee Testimony:
I have enclosed a copy of the letter that Bob Tollison received from the Senate Finance Committee in regard to his request to testify before the committee on April 21.
Most of our economists have received the same letter. Here's the way it looks now
- B. Poulson, Colorado — no word as yet
- R. McKenzie, Missouri — rejected
- M. Crew, New Jersey — rejected
- J.J. Boddewyn, New York — no word as yet
- J. Jadlow, Oklahoma — no word as yet
- W. Mitchell, Oregon — rejected
- A. Harper-Fender, Pennsylvania — rejected
- R. Tollison, Virginia and D.C. — rejected
1987 May 28: Economic Consultants in Region VIII — Recruitment document from TI staffer Stan Boman to his superior Hurst Marshall in State Activities at the Tobacco Institute.
[The Tobacco Institute has just had James Saverese & Associates/Bob Tollison's books audited because they suspected laundered payments hadn't been made to the economists. This was a change to a formal retainer to the Tobacco Institute.]
Following is the information you requested on TI economic consultants in Region VIII. Contact will be made during the next week with Allen Parkman in New Mexico and Chuck Masen [sic] in Wyoming. I will update my report accordingly at that time.
He has identified five new consultant economists:
Colorado: Prof Barry Poulson
Contact made — Personal Visit
Results of Contact — Excellent - extremely knowledgeable and persuasing
Recommendations — Recommend retaining him and using him extensively in the future.
Kansas: Prof John Howe
Contact made — Personal Visit
Results of Contact — Good — Scholarly appearance and demeanor — very knowledgeable
Recommendations — Recommend retaining him,
Missouri: Prof Arthur Denzan
Contact made — Phone call
Results of Contact — Cordial — good speaking voice — seems eager to help
Recommendations — Recommend retaining him, and using him at first opportunity
Oklahoma: Prof Joseph Jadlow
Contact made — Personal visit
Results of Contact — Positively excelent! — Extremely articulate and advocates our position very well
Recommendations — Recommend his continued retainer.
[Note: 'continued'. ]
Texas: Prof S Charles Maurice
Contact made — Personal visit
Results of Contact — Makes a good impression — seems eager to be of help
Recommendations — Recommend retaining him.
1987 June 22: The Tobacco Institute has been sent by Savarese a "Schedule of Payments — Excise Tax Op-Ed Project." It details the name of the cash-for-comment economist, the State, the targetted newspaper, and both past and current payments — with a separate column labled "Total Earned to Date".
In OKLAHOMAAlso there were payments to George Mason production staff ( Bob Tollison, Bill Shughart and Gary Anderson) for rewrites ($27,500) and a $5,800 payment for replacement of five economists (presumably because they were unproductive or unsatisfactoy). Carol Roberts was also paid for the final production. ($5,000)
Jadlow for Tulsa Tribune —Owed $975 — Total to date $2000
Total here with expenses was $33,810 on top of the $40,525 paid to the network economists.
1987 July: a selected group of the economists have been commissioned to write op-eds about cutting the deficit — and to de-emphasise the value of excise taxes. Generally they follow the line of listing four possibilities approaches
- a general consumption tax (efficient but regressive)
- increased excise taxes (inefficient and regressive)
- a national lottery (regressive and competitive with State lotteries)
- increased income taxes (unpopular)
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[This was one of their most successful projects. Professor Dominick Armentano writes to Anna Tollison [wife of Robert] that "... the article went national"]
1987 Aug 21: Jeff Ross at the Tobacco Institute has prepared a consolidated summary of "Field Staff Evaluation of Economists" for his superiors, William Kloepfer and Peter Sparber. They have been asked to look at 34 of these academics. This includes an outline of their recent achievements.
OKLAHOMA
Professor Joseph Jadlow Oklahoma State University Stiliwater, OK
Excise Tax Op Eds: Tulsa Tribune — 03125/87
Economic Witness/Testimony: Prepared testimony opposing excise tax increase. No opportunity to present.
Field Staff Contact: Yes.
Field Staff Evaluation: Excellent; articulates and advocates our position very well.
1987 Aug 31: Peter Sparber [Issues Manager] to Bill Kloepfer [PR head] at the Tobacco Institute:
Jeff [Rose] has done a good job of summarizing the economic consultant situation and I am attaching my copy of his report with some marginal notes. I think he should consider sending a collection of all of the published op-ed pieces to each of the consultants for the sake of inspiration.[This memo leaves no room for doubt that these economists knew precisely who they were working for, and why they were being paid (about $1000 per article) by the tobacco industry.]
In the case of those who have not had an article accepted for publication I would like to know whether they submitted one.
The economists were visited by State [regional] tobacco staff, and subject to an evaluation of their work and their prospects. Not all measured up. Jeff Ross reported:
Two general comments from field staff warrant some consideration. Michael Brozak recommended a political orientation to prepare witnesses for potentially politicized hearings.
We agree and recommend that State Activities consider advising field staff to conduct such briefings as appropriate. Richard Scanlan suggested that an economist from the state capital city is much more valuable. We have asked Savarese and Tollison to see if they can identify a candidate.
1988 Feb 8: The Tobacco Institute to its Regional VPs and Directors.
Attached is an updated list of The Institute's cadre of excise tax economists. These economists are available for testimony, one-on-one meetings with legislators, writing letters and op-ed pieces in the states in which they teach, as well as in any state you deem appropriate.This economist is listed.
1988 Mar 31: The Tobacco Institute's list of available economists, with details of their target for a review of Robert Tollison and Richard Wagner's "Smoking and the State" book (secretly funded and published by the tobacco industry). Jim Savarese writes to Jeff Ross who looks after the cash-for-comments network:
I have listed below potential areas where we could place book reviews for the Tollison/Wagner monograph.
OklahomaTargeted paper: Tulsa Tribune
Economist: Joseph Jadlow, Oklahoma State University.
1988 May 26: Savarese advises the Tobacco Institute that
We have initiated the book review project. A copy of the book and a short summary were sent out today to 17 economists across the country with instructions for writing a brief review suitable for newspaper publication.Jadlow's name was on the list.
I have attached a list of the economists. I'll keep you up to date as soon as the reviews start rolling in.
1988 June 30: Carol Hrycaj at the Tobacco Institute has sent Joseph Jadlow's critique of "Smoking & the State" (Tollison/Wagner) along to the lawyers Covington & Burling for legal clearance.
1988 Oct: A Savarese memo notes that his review of the Tollison/Wager book was
Rejected by:
1. Tulso Tribune
2. Daily Oklahoman
Changed to an op-ed article and resubmit to Tulsa Tribune
[Never get between Jadlow and a success-fee. The man is clearly obstinate!]
1988 Oct 26: Jadlow's op-ed is finally published in the Tulsa Tribune as "Smokers pay most smoking costs." You'll be amazed to find that Jadlow thought the Tollison-Wagner book was a "no-nonsence analysis" which would destroy "many misconceptions."
1988 Nov: The Tobacco Institute's program for influencing other supply-side economists through regional meetings is progressing well.
Joseph Jadlow has sent his draft Discussant's Remarks to the Tobacco Institute for vetting. It has been prepared for presentation at the Southern Economic Association meeting, November 1988 San Antonio, Texas. He is faux-crtical of Holcombe's paper:
Session: Political Economy of Excise Taxation Excise Taxes in Theory and in Reality. Holcombe, Randall G.
[When presented, Holcombe's paper was actually called "Excise Taxes in Theory and Practice" Jadlow's criticism was the economists version of beating Holcombe soundly with a wet lettuce leaf.
The original discussants were to be Joseph Jadlow and Henry Butler. Robert Cook of the University of Richmond replaced Butler]
1988 Nov 28: Debbie Schoonmaker at the Tobacco Institute writes to Savarese about Social Cost Research Papers.
Enclosed are drafts of the Wagner and Ekelund social cost papers.She also attaches three lists of cash-for-comments speakers who have been selected to talk at various meetings of local economic associations they wish to influence [See earlier list]:
Each has been reviewed and will not need further clearance provided the recommended changes are incorporated into the final versions of the papers.
The legal comments are fairly straight-forward. If you or the authors need an explanation or wish to discuss further, please call.
You'll also see that I've enclosed a copy of the California Health Department's "social cost" study. We can discuss this example in our "SWAT team" meeting.
- Atlantic Economic Assn., Philadelphia, Oct 6-9 , meeting on User Charges: has
- Dwight LeeChairman + paper, "Some Bureacratic Implications
- Richard Wagner"User Charges: Principles and Practice"
- Bruce Yandle, "User Charges: Evaluation and Critique.
- Discussant: Robert Staaf.
- Western Economic Association, Los Angeles, June 30 — July 3 meeting on Tax Earmarking and User Charges.
- Dwight R. Lee, "The Political Economy of Tax Earmarking"
- Richard Wagner, "The Fiscal Politics of Tax Earmarking"
- Paul Wilson,"User Charges and the Problem of Externalities"
- Discussants: Thomas Borcherding and Benjamin Zycher, Rand Corporation [unknown relationship]
- Southern Economic Association, San Antonio, Nov 20-22 on Excise Taxation
- Robert Ekelund, Chairman:
- Dwight R. Lee, "Political Economy of Corrective Taxation"
- Randall Holcombe, Auburn University. "Excise Taxes in Theory and Practice"
- Richard E. Wagner, "The Fiscal Politics of Excise Taxation"
- Discussants: Joseph Jadlow, and Henry Butler,
1988 Dec 1: James Savarese reports to Susan Stuntz at the Tobacco Institute on his unit's activites during November (for himself and his employee, Leslie Dawson). His consultancy is specialising in coopting labor and economists, and countering the next Surgeon General's report.
Also attached are the accounts ($114,589 for the Tobacco Industry Labor Management Committee disbursement.He also lists successes he has had with getting economists to plant op-eds on various local newspapers.
- met with officials of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) to discuss tax strategy.
- continued discussion with Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) re national convention
- continued work with National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) on development of training program and brochure.
- meetings with Citizens for Tax Justice, Leadership for the New Century, Citizens for Tax Justice, National Economic Commission.
- on the task force for Airline Cabin Air Quality (weekly meetings/ writing op-eds)
- Prof David Saurman - op-ed on Prop 99 with San Jose Mercury News
Also numerous reviews of the Tollison/Wagner book "Smoking and the State".- Prof Ryan Amacher (Clemson Uni) in The State.
- Joseph Jadlow (Oklahoma State Uni) in Tulsa Tribune.
- Todd Sandler (Iowa State Uni) in Fort Dodge Messenger.
- Robert B Ekelund (Auburn Uni) Montgomery Advertiser.
- Dwight R Lee (Washington Uni) Regulation Magazine.
- Samson Kimenyi (Uni of Mississippi) in Jackson Clarion ledger.
- David ER Gay (Uni of Arkansas) in Arkansas Democrat.
1989 Jan 4: Savarese sends his December Status Report to Susan Stuntz at the Tobacco Institute. It lists dozens of projects that he is supervising — and meetings he is organizing to help the tobacco industry create coalitions with other industries and unions.
Entries most relevant to the cash-for-comments economists are:
- participated in strategy sessions on the National Economic Commission (NEC). [Later a general economists op-ed project]
- Agricultural Research project — began development of research proposals on the effect of excise taxes on farmers. [Later became an Ekelund and Long 'study'.]
- Airline Cabin Air Quality — continued op-ed project on Northwest Airlines. [They had been first to ban smoking on domestic flights] As of January 3, three op-ed projects have been published
- Shreveport Journal [by] Michael Kurth, McNeese State Uni
- Commercial Appeal [by] JR Clark, University of Tennessee at Martin
- The Greenville News [by] Ryan Amacher, Clemson University
- Began Ad Ban op-ed project. As of January 3 one op-ed has been published
- Chicaco Tribune [by] Lloyd Cohen, California Western School of Law.
- Social Cost Book Review Program [smoking and the State] - As of January 3, seven book review have been published.
Three are forthcoming:
- The State [by[ Ryan Amacher, Clemson University
- Tulsa Tribune [by] Joseph Jadlow, Oklahoma State Uni
- Grand Forks Herald [by] Cliff Dobitz North Dakota State University
- Fort Dodge Messenger [by] Todd Sandler Iowa State University
- Montgomery Advertiser [by] Robert B. Ekelund Auburn University
- Bryan-College Station [by] Charles Maurice Texas A&M University
- Columbus Enquirer by Dwight R. Lee Washington University
- Regulation Magazine [by] Dwight R. Lee Washington University
- Jackson Clarion Ledger [by] Samson Kimenyi University, Mississippi
- Arkansas Democrat [by] David E. R. Gay University of Arkansas
1989 Dec 14: Jim Savarese is listing the economists taking part in their new Excise Tax Op-Ed project.
I have also listed the newspapers we plan to target and a package of the materials we are sending to the economists.This economist is on the list for OKLAHOMA, Tulsa Tribune
We should start getting drafts of the op-eds around the first of the year.
1990 Feb 13: The draft articles of Joseph Jadlow ("Low and Middle Income Txpayers may be Loosers in the Political Chess Game") and David Gay ("Much Ado About Taxes") have been cleared by the Tobacco Institute and sent to Covington & Burling for legal clearance.
1990 April: The Tobacco Institutes "Public Affairs Management Plan Progress Report." This 40 page document has overviews by different section heads.
- Excise Taxes: (Page 3) Consulting economists' op-eds have all been written, reviewed and returned to the authors for placement. Of the 20 articles commissioned, 11 have been placed thus far. Most recently, Joseph Jadlow's article appeared in the Tulsa Tribune ; Cecil Bohanan's op-ed was published in the Muncie Star. Consulting economists also have followed up with the transmittal of the opeds to Senators and Representatives from their states.
- The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) also released its most recent study. "Are Americans on a Consumption Binge?" refutes the notion that Americans have been overconsuming and undersaving, and thus, that Congress should raise consumption taxes such as excises. The EPI study lays the groundwork for later activities, eg, a tax policy conference that will continue to build the record against aising regressive consumer excise taxes.
- We learned last month that State Activities [of the TI] has made extensive use in Texas of consulting economist Michael Davis. Davis conducted editorial board briefings with Texas newspapers in several cities, including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Galveston and Corpus Christi. As a result, the San Antonio Light has published a favorable editorial.
- Social Cost: [A] TI-commissioned social cost research paper on smoking and absenteeism, completed in 1989, has been accepted for publication by an academic journal.
- "Smoking and Absenteeism," (See page 30) by consulting economists Robert Ekelund, Richard Ault, John Jackson, Richard Saba and David Saurman, has been accepted for publication by the academic journal, Applied Economics. The authors examine previous absenteeism and productivity studies and find that the "association of smoking and increased absenteeism is spurious."
- Consulting economists will receive TI support for a presentation of academic papers during the Western Economic Association's conference to be held in San Diego in June. The session, "Smoking and Public Policy," will involve Dwight Lee and Gary Anderson in a discussion of smoking and social cost issues.
1990 Apr 16: Clipping of an op-ed by Jadow for the Tobacco Institute which appeared in Tulsa Tribune "Beware of politicians' tax plans." (attacking President George Bush I)
1990 April 16: He is still writing op-eds for the Tobacco Institute, and is also available for consultation.
4/90 Excise Tax/"user fee" op-ed published in The Tulsa Tribune
He has had an article published in The Tulsa Tribune which is headed "Beware of politicians' tax plans"
The federal budget announced by President Bush seeks to cut the federal deficit in half in 1991 by reducing a host of domestic and military spending programs. The proposed budget continues to stick to two of his campaign promises: a reduction in capital gains taxes and no general increase in taxes.However, as with Packwood, this leaves excise tax increases as an obvious move. He then attacks "the business lobby" since they are also cutting the Social Security tax:
Moreover, many of the political lobbies representing business interests favor the proposal, too, because half of the Social Security payroll tax is paid by employers.The tobacco industry's fears are being generated by Rep Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill) chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee who was promoting...
... an increase in income taxes and excise taxes on gasoline, wine, beer, cigarettes and industrial pollutants.
[Jadlow advises] It is important that taxpayers be on their toes and make sure that their elected representatives do not attempt to reduce government deficits by increasing general sales taxes or excise taxes on specific products.
1990 May 7: The Tobacco Institute's "1991 Tax and Social Cost Plans" have sections on
- "Social Costs" Hearings Readiness (preparation for fielding witnesses at Congressional hearings.) They list here the arguments
What TI and Its Allies Must Cover
- "Social cost" arguments used to justify excise tax increases, smoking restrictions and ad bans are not valid.
- Independent economists state that "social cost" calculations used by anti-smokers do not withstand credible economic scrutiny.
- There is no convincing economic evidence that smokers impose costs on society. Any supposed costs are "private costs" and are borne by the smoker.
- Other industries are vulnerable to social cost attacks. A "slippery slope" may exist as anti-smokers, using "social costs" arguments, seek legislation restricting smoking or increasing taxes. These efforts may signal lawmakers to regulate other products as well.
- "Tax" Hearing Readiness (as above, but for excise tax increases, State and Federal)
What TI and Its Allies Must Cover
- Excise taxes are regressive and take away tax reform for low- and middle-income Americans. As a percentage of income, low income families pay as much as 27 times more in federal excises than high-income families.
- Cigarette excise taxes are discriminatory. They fall disproportionately on Blacks, Hispanics and other minorities.
- Excise taxes are unfair. Tobacco consumers are forced to pay more than others for government services benefitting everyone. Why should smokers pay more for national defense than nonsmokers?
- List of cash-for-comment network economists in each State.
OKLAHOMAThey must have been expecting to need Ed Price in a hurry because they included his home address in Tulsa and home phone number.
Professor Joseph Jadlow
Department of Economics, Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074 405-624-7645
Professor Ed Price
Department of Economics. Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074 405-624-5195
1991: A list of useful consultants and witnesses held in the B&W files, carried many entries which show lists of past activities for the Tobacco Institute, which were effectively credentials showing that they could be trusted.
Joseph Jadlow
Professor of Economics, Oklahoma State University
• 4/90 Excise Tax/"user fee" op-ed published in The Tulsa Tribune
1993 Mar 23: Jim Savarese is proposing to Cal George at the Tobacco Institute a new Op-ed program.
Outlined below is our proposed op-ed program in opposition to the use of excise taxes to finance health care.Joseph Jadlow is listed as one of the proposed lucky recipients of $3,000 in largess from the Tobacco Institute for slashing out a quick op-ed. He was to submit the article to Tulsa Tribune.
- Op-ed article by Robert Tollison to be submitted to Wall Street Journal
- Rebuttal article by Bob Ekelund, Auburn University, to be submitted to the Birmingham News
- "Monster" tax op-ed project using twenty economists (list attached) to submit articles in opposition to using excise taxes on cigarettes to finance health care reform - to be submitted to twenty newspapers in twenty different states
1993 July 20: The Tobacco Institute is still maintaining Savarese's list of economists. The newspaper clippings show that their main focus was to attack Ira Magaziner and Hillary Clinton over their Health Care Plan because of the fear that the funds would be raised from cigarette taxes.
Susan Stuntz memo's that
Three newspapers in Colorado have picked up Barry Poulson's op-ed on cigarette taxes for health care reform. Copies of all three are attached, along with a status report on the op-ed project.
In addition to the articles that have already been printed, the Men? Ahis (Tenn.) Commercial Appeal and Milwaukee (Wisc.) Journal have accepted op-eds for publication. On others, we are still awaiting word.
1995 Oct: He is secretary-treasurer of Southern Economic Association
2006 Apr 1: Retired as Secretary-Treasurer/Executive Director of Southern Economic Association (after three decades). The job was taken by another cash-for-comments economists, Jeffrey R Clark of the University of Tennessee at Charranooga.
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