The Honorable W. Edward 'Eddie' Goodall of North Carolina State Senate proudly displays the New No New Tax Pledge!
Posted on 04/13/2005 8:26:37 PM PDT by Huber
Hundreds of NC FreedomWorks Members Rally in Raleigh Activists fight tobacco tax increase, demand smaller government
Contact: Allen Page Phone: (336) 213-1167 Email: apage@freedomworks.org
Raleigh, North Carolina - Today, Governor Mike Easley and many North Carolina legislators got a lot more than they bargained for when they proposed a massive tax increase on smokers. That’s because over 400 FreedomWorks activists traveled from all across the North Carolina to the state Capitol to tell their representatives and senators: “We Want Less”.
During the 6th annual ‘FreedomWorks CSE Day at the Capitol’, activists focused on the campaign against the 900 percent increase in the cigarette tax. FreedomWorks members laid the groundwork for this visit by starting a petition drive, handing out educational fliers, and sending 251 hand-written letters to their legislators.
At the Capitol, FreedomWorks members went to a number of legislators and urged them to reduce spending instead of enacting Gov. Easley’s $277.1 million tax hike. FreedomWorks reminded many representatives and senators that they promised to oppose all tax hikes when they signed the FreedomWorks/CSE “No New Taxes” pledge, and that supporting the tobacco tax increase would violate the pledge. In addition, members made it very clear that pledge breakers and other tax hikers will be taken to task by FreedomWorks North Carolina 22,946-member grassroots army in 2006.
FreedomWorks activists lobbied their legislators on a number of other subjects as well, including the recently passed lottery legislation, forced annexation, and other property rights issues. These issues will appear on the FreedomWorks North Carolina Score Card, which identifies representatives and senators that supported freedom throughout the session.
At the end of the day, FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe rallied the troops and spoke to members about important federal issues. Kibbe updated activists about FreedomWorks’ effort to reform Social Security through large personal accounts, and he introduced the new campaign to stop Senator Arlen Specter from taxing businesses and consumers $140 billion to create an asbestos trust fund.
North Carolina Director Allen Page made the following comments:
“No doubt, our 6th annual day at the Capitol was a huge success. FreedomWorks sent a strong message to officials in Raleigh that there will be serious political consequences for legislators that support the cigarette tax hike or any other attempt to raise taxes.”
“The FreedomWorks CSE Day at the Capitol has become a great tradition and a regular annual event. Political leaders hear from special interests that want to grow government year round—but on FreedomWorks CSE Day, they get to hear from concerned citizens who want lower taxes and less government and more freedom.”
Unfortunately, MOABs and gusty torrential rain don't mix.
Oh, well.
It is. Do you know anyone else who would like to participate?
Mr. Goodall is getting some bad press locally for his support of a county equestrian arena. Do you have an opinion?
There would be many on FR who would like to sign a petition re lower taxes, if it's available.
You're right. Here's the link for current take action items. http://www.rallydc.com/freedomworks/quotes.php?action_id=10
FreedomWorks is a great organization. I am pretty sure that there is a chapter in your county. If you call Allen Page (see the number above in the press release) he can connect you with the locals. Tell him "Huber sent you"!
Call him and talk to him about it.
Me? Actually phone an elected official? Just the thought is making me break out in hives!
I could e-mail, I guess.
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