The New York State Bar Association Tax Section has written a letter to Senate Finance Committee Ranking Minority Member Max Baucus asking that he drop his attempt to block the confirmation of Eric Solomon as Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy unless the Treasury adopts a specific timetable for closing the tax gap [blogged here]:

Although we and the members of the Executive Committee are of all political persuasions, we are united in our belief that Eric is a model public servant and is extraordinarily qualified for this position. We are personally familiar with Eric’s beyond-the-call-of- duty dedication to the work of the Treasury Department, and have marveled at his grace under the pressure of working with several Treasury Secretaries while holding down two jobs simultaneously in a department often short on staff. We believe that the government and all taxpayers are extremely fortunate to have Eric in public service, and that it is in the strong interest of the government and of all taxpayers for him to be promptly confirmed for this position.

We agree with you that the tax gap must be reduced. However, we do not believe it is fair to Eric, or in the interest of the government or of taxpayers, for Eric’s confirmation to be held up until a specific date for the delivery of a plan to close the tax gap can be set. Eric’s appointment will, we believe, increase Treasury’s ability to accomplish the formidable task of developing such a plan. As a result, and to further the objective of reducing the tax gap, we respectfully urge prompt confirmation of Eric for this position.

Dan Shaviro has more here.