Perry Presses Flat-Tax Plan

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry

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Perry to unveil a national flat tax plan

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry rolled out a tax-overhaul plan that sought to re-establish his appeal among conservatives while avoiding the criticism that he is shaking up the current system too much.

Mr. Perry's plan would allow taxpayers to opt in to a new system that would impose what he described as a 20% flat tax. But some experts said the proposal overall contained so many options and exceptions that it would fall short of Mr. Perry's goals of simplifying the tax system and energizing the economy.

"The way to stimulate the economy is not through temporary tax relief or government spending," Mr. Perry said at a campaign appearance in South Carolina, in a reference to President Barack Obama's proposals aimed at job creation. "It's to stimulate private spending.…The flat tax will unleash growth."