FlashReport readers are probably starting to become more familiar with the group Americans for Prosperity. Earlier this year they kicked off their California chapter (I had the honor of introducing Hugh Hewitt at that event) and they have been charging hard since then. I would like to share more with FR readers about AFP’s current big project here in the Golden State — and an important one…
AFP has started the Already Taxed to the Max (ATM) Statewide tour, with a kickoff event last week at the State Capitol and then an trip up to Chico in the North State. The tour, featuring conservative leaders and a huge 12-foot inflatable ATM machine will send a message to Lawmakers that California Taxpayers are not their personal ATM machine. Their next stop: The liberal bastion of San Francisco tomorrow.
Here is a photo from the kickoff – the first is a group shot (L to R): Supervisor Peter Foy, AFP’s California Chairman; Assemblyman Bob Huff; Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines; Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.Tim Phillips, the President of Americans for Prospertiy (speaking at the podium, who flew out from D.C.); Assemblyman Doug La Malfa (behind Phillips); Assemblyman John Benoit; State Senator George Runner; and David Spady, Director for AFP’s California Chapter.
“We are traveling the state to let California legislators know they need to stop treating taxpayers as their own personal ATM machine,” said Peter Foy, Chairman of Americans for Prosperity in California and Ventura County Supervisor. “The legislature refuses to reign in their out-of-control spending. We are sending a strong message that when it comes to the people’s ATM, the card is being cut up and this Legislature’s access is ‘denied’.”
A lot of faces familiar to FR readers have already joined in on the tour, with many others expected. Some of the conservative leaders to have already joined in the Already Taxed to the Max tour have included Jon Coupal, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association; Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines; State Senate Republican Caucus Chairman George Runner; Assemblyman (and FR blogger) Doug LaMalfa; Butte County Supervisor Kurt Josiassen; and others. Elected officials and grassroots leaders from each area will join the ATM Tour at each local stop.
During the tour, Americans for Prosperity and other grassroots coalitions will inform the public about wasteful spending in the Legislature and obtain signatures to oppose tax increases in this year’s budget. The petitions will be delivered to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California Legislators in the heat of the budget battle on June 11.
After San Francisco, look for the tour to come to your area (if it hasn’t already) — the Central Valley, the Central Coast, the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. (After all of the miles driven by tour organizers, hauling the ATM, they might also start a petition to lower California’s outrageous gas taxes).
If you want to get more information, AFP has set up a special website just for this tour: www.DontTaxCa.com!
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