Breaking News.... Taxpayer groups united today to announce their intention to file a Lawsuit over the California State budget mess.

The California Legislature attempted to pass a budget in the dark-of-night late last night, circumventing the 2/3 approval as required by the Constitution.  Why so secret? They surely knew they did not have the support to pass a massive $10 Billion in Tax increases on everything from the Gas Tax, to the Income Tax, to the Car Tax, to the Sales Tax, and the list goes on and on....

Details on the forthcoming Lawsuit here (full disclosure: I am Associate State Director and Communications Director of one of the organizations)... Stay tuned to this space for breaking news on the Budget Battle...


For Immediate Release:  Thursday, December 18, 2008                                                         
Contact: Jennifer Kerns (916) 420-2888
                                                                                                           

Taxpayers, Joined By Senate Leaders And Assemblymembers, Announce Intention To File Lawsuit Over “Unconstitutional” California State Budget

California’s last-minute state budget proposal would illegally raise taxes without constitutionally required approval

Americans for Prosperity-California and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association vow to fight “all the way to Supreme Court if necessary”

SACRAMENTO, CA --- Taxpayer groups, joined by Senate leaders and Assemblymembers, gathered today to announce their intention to file a lawsuit against an “unconstitutional state budget” if the state legislature successfully raises California taxes without the two-thirds approval required by law.

“The legislature has attempted to pass an illegal budget in the dark of night in an effort to circumvent the two-thirds approval as required by the Constitution,” said Peter Foy, Chairman of Americans for Prosperity- California.  “Over the past few months, we have traveled to 23 cities in the state, and taxpayers are in overwhelming agreement to put a stop to new tax hikes. Today, we give the taxpayers a voice by joining with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association in this fight.”

The taxpayer groups intend to file a lawsuit if the California Legislature passes a budget without the number of votes required by law.  Both groups claim they will “fight all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.”

Americans for Prosperity-California kicked off its “Already Taxed to the Max!” (ATM) tour in November after the state announced an anticipated budget shortfall. 

The group was joined today by Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Senate Minority Leader Dave Cogdill, Senate Republican Caucus Chair George Runner, Senator Tony Strickland, Assemblymember Ted Gaines, and other Senators and Assemblymembers.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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