Americans for Prosperity just issued the following statement regarding the new Taxpayers Caucus highlighted on the main page of FR today:
AFP California Calls on Legislators to Join Taxpayers Caucus
Grassroots group will hold accountable any lawmakers who don’t support cause
Sacramento—Grassroots taxpayer advocacy organization Americans for Prosperity California joined a coalition of other organizations and state legislators today in urging all 120 members of the state legislature to join the newly-formed Taxpayers Caucus. Led by State Senator Tony Strickland and Assemblyman Don Wagner, the caucus is committed to balancing the state budget without tax increases, and supports Proposition 13’s taxpayer protections.
“California has a 12.5 percent unemployment rate, one of the highest tax rates in the country and is considered one of the most hostile environments for businesses,” explained State Chairman Peter Foy. “We cannot continue on this path over a cliff to fiscal ruin. Instead, we must respect taxpayers by returning tax rates to reasonable levels, making regulations fair and understandable and reward business ingenuity. This Taxpayers Caucus is a way for legislators to show that they truly are on the side of taxpayers, not special interests.”
Seven Republican Senators and twenty Republican Assemblymembers have joined the Taxpayers Caucus so far. Although invited and encouraged to join, no Democratic members have joined.
“As representatives of all California taxpayers, we call on every legislator to join the Taxpayers Caucus,” stated State Director David Spady. “With the state facing a fiscal crisis, you are either on the side of the taxpayers or the special interest groups that are draining money from hardworking Californians. The best way to show you respect your constituents’ paychecks is to join the Taxpayers Caucus and commit to stopping tax increases when cutting wasteful government spending should be a top priority. Any legislator who refuses to join the Taxpayers Caucus is effectively stating they don’t truly want to protect taxpayers. We will hold them accountable for their unwillingness to fight for us.”