'Taxpayer Champion' Barbara Anderson Dies

BOSTON (CBS) – Barbara Anderson, remembered as a "taxpayer champion" in Massachusetts, died Friday of leukemia.

Heavily involved in Citizens for Limited Taxation, Anderson retired as the group's executive director last year and stayed on in a smaller role.

Anderson was 73 years old. She had been diagnosed with leukemia several months ago.

Barbara Anderson. (Image Credit: Citizens for Limited Taxation)

"For the past 40 years Barbara Anderson was a relentless advocate for taxpayers across Massachusetts," Citizens for Limited Taxation said. "Her accomplishments included leading the campaign for property tax relief for which she was called 'The Mother of Proposition 2½,' repeal of the state income tax surtax, defeat of the graduated income tax ballot question, and the rollback of the 'temporary' state income tax increase."

Anderson is survived by Chip Ford, her partner for 20 years, along with her son Lance, his wife Mary their two children.

No funeral services has been planned at this time, according to CLT.