With summer budget battles looming, the liberal drumbeat for tax increases is starting to pound its way through the halls of the state capitol. The constant barrage of union and media attacks leaves Republicans committed to a balanced budget feeling isolated and beleaguered. But yesterday, reinforcements marched on Sacramento and their message was clear: hold the line and don’t tax California!
During this “Taxpayer Action Day,” hundreds of citizens from every corner of the Golden State descended on our state capitol to deliver thousands of petitions representing citizen opposition to “solving” the budget crisis through raising taxes. Sponsored by a coalition of California taxpayer advocates, including Americans for Prosperity and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association, the event sent a strong message to state lawmakers that citizens are drawing a hard line against tax increases.
The gathering at the capitol was the culmination of a month-long statewide tour dubbed “Already Taxed to the Max!” From Chico to San Diego, dozens of rallies throughout the state have united taxpayers to hold their spendthrift lawmakers accountable. The “mascot” of each of these rallies was the 12-foot inflatable A.T.M., which symbolized the message to lawmakers that citizens are not A.T.M.s, pumping out money to finance Sacramento’s freewheeling habits.
As the crowd assembled outside the capitol for a press conference, Americans for Prosperity Executive Director David Spady explained the purpose of the Already Taxed to the Max tour and then proclaimed the battle cry of this campaign to stop new taxes: “enough is enough!” He then introduced special guest Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity, who made a special visit from Washington, D.C., just to attend the taxpayer action day. Phillips laid out the battle over taxes in clear ideological terms: either freedom is going to retreat or advance. Increasing taxes to feed government’s insatiable appetite will certainly constrict freedom. California’s undesirable ranking as the 5th highest tax rate in the country means less freedom.
With 24 state chapters and growing, Americans for Prosperity is willing take on the difficult task of challenging government to live within its means. Phillips stressed that while the budget battle will be fierce, California can reclaim its history of defending taxpayers, especially with 2008 being the 30th anniversary of Proposition 13’s passage. The question taxpayers have to ask themselves is do you trust Sacramento politicians with billions more of your dollars? And have they earned taxpayer trust with the amount of money they already spend? Just this week Assembly Democrats announced they need $6.4 billion in tax increases to cover the budget deficit and Senate Democrats want a staggering $11.8 billion.
Americans for Prosperity California Chairman Peter Foy reiterated the point that when citizens spend their money, it grows the economy; when government spends our money, it contracts not just the economy but our freedoms. Citizens are unable to truly enjoy their freedom when they are “taxed to the max” and it’s time for government to tighten its belt, just as citizens are doing in difficult economic times.
In his address to the media, Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines introduced the “heroes” in the Assembly Republican Caucus who will keep their promise to stop new taxes. The majority of caucus members were in attendance at the press conference, demonstrating their united determination heading into the budget battle.
Representing the Senate Republican Caucus, Senator George Runner had the quote of the day with his quip about citizens being fed up about California’s over-taxation: “Citizens will stop writing checks to the government and start writing checks to their movers.” Although humorous, this is a sad truth for California. In fact, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore pointed out that neighboring state Nevada boasts the 3rd most hospitable business climate in the country, while California is the lowly 47th—just above New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. As California continues to burden its citizens with freedom-killing taxes, they will seek more freedom and opportunity in other states like Nevada.
At the end of the press conference, attendees picked up bundles of the 28,000 petitions to hand deliver them to lawmakers. It was an exhilarating moment to watch citizens streaming into the capitol, petitions in hand, to deliver the no-new-taxes message directly to their elected representatives. Now is the time to encourage our responsible elected officials to stand firm and protect their constituents from government waste and fraud. When you contact your representatives, make it clear: the taxpayer account is already overdrawn and we are not your A.T.M.!
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