Paul Ryan as a Dependent,’ ‘Taxes on an Etch-A-Sketch’ and Other ‘Secrets’ on USW Website Asking, ‘What’s Romney’s Tax Secret?’

Contact: Tim Waters, USW, 412-999-3587

PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers (USW) today unveiled a new website, www.whatsmittssecret.org, to bring attention to the very serious issue of the Republican presidential candidate refusing to publicly release his tax returns.

On the site, visitors can use the #WhatsMittsSecret Twitter hashtag to take a guess at what could be in Mitt Romney’s returns. If they don’t have Twitter, they can submit their ideas via an online form.

On the eve of the opening of the Republican National Convention that will put a spotlight on Romney’s candidacy, ordinary Americans are calling on the GOP hopeful to be truly transparent with the nation.

Some of the submissions include: “Mitt’s hiding that he claimed Paul Ryan as a dependent,” “Mitt’s hiding that he did the last 12 years of taxes on an Etch-A-Sketch,” and “Mitt’s hiding that he wrote off Medicare…not on his taxes, he just wrote it off.”

“While we may be having a little fun on this website, the fact that Mitt Romney is refusing to share what’s in his tax returns is no laughing matter,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.

“Romney is running for the highest office in the land, telling voters he deserves to be president because of his business record and his plans for the economy. He’s promising to cut taxes on the rich, while his plan would increase taxes for 95 percent of Americans,” Gerard said.

“The American people deserve to know how much – or little – Romney has paid in taxes. How the candidate has handled his money and investments is serious business. WhatsMittsSecret.org asks the question millions want to know, what’s Mitt hiding?” Gerard said.

The USW is North America’s largest industrial union, representing 850,000 workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply, and the energy-producing industries. For more information: www.usw.org/.

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